In a significant move to assert administrative control, Odisha's Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari visited the contentious Kotia panchayat in Koraput district on Friday. The visit comes amidst growing concerns over repeated alleged intrusions by officials from the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh into the disputed border region.
Minister's Assurance and On-Ground Outreach
During his tour of Kotia, located in the Pottangi block, Minister Suresh Pujari directly interacted with local villagers. He took the opportunity to distribute benefits under several key government welfare schemes. These included the provision of job cards, pensions, and ration cards to residents. This outreach is widely perceived as a strategic step to reinforce Odisha's administrative and developmental presence in the sensitive bordering area.
"Kotia is an inseparable part of Odisha and the government is fully committed to its development," Pujari stated emphatically. He highlighted that several infrastructure projects have already been finished in the region, with numerous others currently in various phases of implementation.
Addressing the Border Intrusion Reports
Responding directly to reports of frequent alleged incursions by Andhra Pradesh officials into Kotia's territory, the minister sought to downplay their impact. He assured villagers that such actions would neither disrupt their lives nor hinder the welfare programmes being executed by the Odisha government.
"Our focus remains on ensuring that residents of Kotia continue to receive all benefits of state-sponsored schemes without any hindrance," Pujari added, signalling the state's priority to deliver services irrespective of the ongoing territorial dispute.
Review of Development and Livelihood Focus
The minister conducted a thorough review of the progress of ongoing development works in Kotia. He held detailed discussions with block-level officials and heads of various line departments to expedite projects. Pujari underlined that the government's top priority is the holistic development of Kotia, which hinges on improved infrastructure and enhanced livelihood opportunities for its people.
"Our emphasis is on comprehensive development of Kotia villages by strengthening road connectivity, electrification, education facilities and access to drinking water," the minister explained. He revealed that all concerned departments have received strict instructions to plan and execute projects aligned with these core objectives to ensure tangible benefits reach the community.
Echoing this sentiment, Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan emphasised that special attention is being given to livelihood generation. The goal is to create sustainable income streams for the local population. "Promoting livelihood activities in Kotia is among our top priorities, as it will provide regular income opportunities and help strengthen the local economy," Mahajan said.
The district administration has outlined a series of proposed livelihood initiatives designed to boost the local economy. These include:
- Commercial farming and coffee cultivation
- Pisciculture (fish farming) and poultry
- Mushroom and ginger farming
- Goat rearing and broomstick binding
These activities are to be supported by parallel skill development programmes to equip residents with necessary expertise.
The Long-Standing Territorial Dispute
The visit and assurances are set against the backdrop of a decades-old boundary conflict. Both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh assert their claim over 21 out of the 28 villages that constitute the Kotia panchayat. This interstate border dispute has been pending before the Supreme Court of India since the year 1968, making it a protracted and sensitive issue for both state governments and the residents caught in between.
