Semiliguda: Cashing in on the alleged indifference of the state government in implementing development projects, Andhra Pradesh continues to intrude into more pockets in Koraput district, a report said.
The neighbouring government lures people of some panchayats of Semiliguda and Pottangi blocks by providing them better education and health facilities which the state government fails to do so. The situation has come to such a pass that AP has managed to get its people’s representatives elected from Orissa. For instance, there are two sarpanchs , one representing their respective governments from Orissa and AP. The state also works in same panchayats, it was learnt.
It was alleged that the negligence of the local government in offering basic amenities to people of border areas has only suited the evil intention of the neighbouring government. It has launched development projects in several villages of Talasemili and Kotia panchayats of Semiliguda block while the electioneering process for panchayat polls is yet to begin in the block. Though the territory belongs to Orissa, the plaques of project work have been put up by AP.
Interestingly, people of some Orissa villages continue to enjoy the facilities offered by both the governments.
“Even as we are born in Orissa, we don’t get the required facilities here. We have to depend on Andhra Pradesh as it fulfills most of our needs. However, we still love Orissa,” some villagers of Kotia panchayat said.
Though they wanted their children to learn Oriya, they are compelled to get them educated in Telugu medium in the absence of Oriya teachers in schools, some Oriyas lamented. The Oriya teachers don’t come to the schools established by the state government, they added.
According to reports, there are several government schools in Doliamba, Patseneri, Phagun Seneri, Landa and Sarakuduma of Kotia panchayat but the Oriya teachers don’t turn up there. This has resulted in AP engaging Telugu teachers in those schools. Neither the district administration nor the district education officer bothers about the fate of the Oriya kids, locals alleged.
On the other hand, there is no proper road connection to most of these areas. People use the hilly footpath to reach the villages, it was learnt.
In such a scenario, most of the residents depend on Andhra Pradesh to fulfil their healthcare needs.
Though the state government claims to have spent crores of rupees for the growth of tribals, the benefits don’t reach the end users, it was alleged.
It is high time the state government took corrective measures or else the neighbouring state would get away with adding a few panchayat s of border region under its jurisdiction, locals said.
When contacted for this report, sub-collector Krutibas Rout said the administration is yet to get any specific complaint over the issue. Action would be taken after the receipt of such allegation, he added. PNN
