Bhubaneswar: In what revealed a casual approach of the state government towards Kotia controversy, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheswar Mohanty Monday said that time is yet to arrive to take up the issue of Kotia villages dispute with Andhra Pradesh government.
The minister’s reaction came at a time when local reports suggest the AP government is continuing with its intrusion in 21 disputed villages of the Kotia Gram Panchayat in Koraput district in the state and has even started constructing roads irrespective of the fact that they fall within geographical territory of Orissa.
The long-pending dispute between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh snowballed last month when Andhra government officials visited the 21 disputed villages and distributed freebies among the people. Apart from distributing blankets and pensions, the AP officials reportedly held a meeting to educate people about various welfare schemes of the Andhra government.
The Vizianagaram Collector and SP had attended the programme to observe ‘Maa Uru’ or Janambhumi at Kotia, being observed in Andhra Pradesh from January 2 to 11 every year.
The Andhra Pradesh government has now allegedly started constructing roads in these areas without the knowledge of the state government.
When asked as to why the state government hasn’t taken up the matter with the AP government till now, the minister said, “Nothing has happened and the time hasn’t come yet to take up the matter with Andhra Pradesh.”
The minister who said that he has already sought a report from the district collector about this, however, expressed his inability saying it is yet to be legally ascertained whether they could construct road in these areas.
PNN
