Koraput/Pottangi: Amid the ongoing dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over territorial rights in Kotia gram panchayat under Pottangi block in Koraput district, Andhra officials Tuesday reached Neredibalsa village and held discussions with the villagers on developmental projects being implemented in the area by the Odisha government, a report said.
The officials from Andhra Pradesh were identified as Kormanath, PO ITDA of Parabatipuram in Vijayanagaram district, Parbati, BDO of Salur block, DSP Subhash and Iram Naidu, the CI of Kotia panchayat appointed by the neighbouring state.
A team of police officials also accompanied the officials during their visit.
They sought to know from the villagers about the developmental projects being implemented by Odisha government and directed the Salur BDO and other officials to expedite various developmental works being implemented by the Andhra government in the area.
Reports said that the dispute over the territorial jurisdiction rights in Kotia panchayat has refused to abate with both the states yet to arrive at any solution.
The apex court has directed both the state governments to maintain status quo in the area, but the Andhra government seems to be hell-bent on imposing its rule in the area.
The officials of the Andhra government are repeatedly violating the Supreme Court order and intruding into Kotia panchayat and trying to lure the villagers with various welfare schemes.
Later, the officials visited Uparsembi village and joined a meeting with the villagers on premises of a church.
There they discussed with the villagers various developmental projects that are being implemented by the Andhra government and prepared an action plan for the projects.
The villagers drew the attention of the officials towards the higher education of their children and urged the Andhra officials to make available drinking water, roads, pension, healthcare and houses under state and Centre sponsored schemes in the area.
Meanwhile, a sankirtan-cumritual planned to be organised at a newly established Jagannath temple at Neredibalsa village was cancelled due to restrictions imposed by the district administration of Koraput.
The temple, known as Patitapaban temple, was recently established in the area with the aid and support provided by the former Collector Gadadhar Parida.
Parida is the secretary of Koraputbased Jagannath temple, which is looked after by the Sabar Srikhetra Managing Committee.
PNN
