Bhubaneswar: In response to the continued intrusion by Andhra Pradesh into the disputed Kotia region of Koraput district, the Odisha government has initiated a department-wise strategy to accelerate development in the border villages and reaffirm its administrative presence.
A high-level meeting of the special committee constituted by the state government was held in Bhubaneswar to chalk out an inclusive development roadmap for Kotia. The meeting was chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who emphasized the need for urgent and coordinated efforts by all departments.
Minister Pujari directed every department to submit their respective action plans within a month. The focus, he said, would be on the economic, social, and cultural upliftment of the region. Officials have been instructed to collaborate with the Koraput District Collector to identify immediate and long-term development priorities, including better infrastructure, market access for farmers, and enhanced employment opportunities for local youth.
“A special roadmap will be prepared for the development of Kotia. Every department must address issues on the ground and ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes of both the state and central governments reach the people’s doorsteps,” Pujari said.
Reiterating Odisha’s unwavering stand on the Kotia issue, the Minister said, “Kotia is an inseparable part of Odisha. There will be no compromise on its status.” He acknowledged the protracted dispute with Andhra Pradesh, which dates back over a century, and admitted that Odisha had lost ground in the past due to weak representation in courts and gaps in historical documentation.
To rectify past lapses, the Odisha government is reviving the legal battle in the Supreme Court and has begun fresh consultations with legal experts to strengthen its case.
The meeting was attended by secretaries from various departments, the Koraput District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and several former district collectors. The unified presence of senior officials underscored the urgency and seriousness with which the state is approaching the Kotia issue.
