Pottangi: Fresh controversy erupted after Andhra Pradesh government officials from Parvathipuram Manyam district visited Kotia region in Koraput district and held discussions with the locals, a source said Thursday.
According to the source, J Sathyanarayan and two other officials from Tribal Welfare Department of Andhra Pradesh government attempted to persuade the villagers by extending several welfare schemes.
At a time when both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments are at loggerheads over Kotia gram panchayat, the frequent visits of the neighbouring state officials to the region have always remained a cause of concern for Odisha government officials.
Recently, stickers of Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy were seen on the pucca houses constructed under ‘Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana’ in Talaganjeipadar village in Kotia adding fuel to the fire.
In February, the visit of Andhra Deputy Chief Minister Peedika Rajanna Dora to Kotia had sparked controversy. Dora had explained to the villagers about various welfare schemes being implemented by his government for a substantial amount of time.
Meanwhile, Pottangi BDO Soumya Sarthak Mishra and other Odisha government officials were completely unaware of Dora’s visit to Kota. That shows the level of alertness of Odisha government in taking swift action regarding the repeated intrusion of Andhra in the region.
It can be mentioned here that, Odisha has filed a case in Supreme Court as Andhra Pradesh is continuously staking its claim to Kotia. The matter is sub-judice in the Apex court.
PNN