Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards resolving long-standing administrative challenges and ensuring inclusive development in the Kotia Gram Panchayat of Koraput district, the Odisha Government has decided to establish a special agency to implement all welfare schemes through a unified mechanism.
This decision was taken following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on April 22, 2025, where emphasis was laid on the need for a robust and integrated administrative framework for the Kotia group of villages under Pottangi block.
The government has now constituted a dedicated 16-member committee under the chairmanship of the Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management to propose the structure of this special agency.
The committee will define the agency’s operational hierarchy, funding mechanism, and the convergence model for various departmental schemes. It will also carry out a comparative analysis of welfare schemes being offered by the bordering state to ensure that Odisha’s offerings are at par or better for the people of Kotia.
The proposed special agency will be headed by a senior officer from the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) or Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) cadre, and will operate with an independent office. The aim is to bring all departmental services—currently functioning independently—under one umbrella for effective and coordinated service delivery to the residents of Kotia Gram Panchayat.
The committee will also focus on strengthening the cultural and linguistic identity of the region by promoting the Odia language, literature, festivals, and traditions under the broader initiative of “Odia Asmita” in the bordering areas, fostering a deeper sense of belonging among the local population.
The committee includes senior officials from key departments, including Revenue, Home, ST & SC Development, Rural Development, Labour, Food Supplies, Odia Language and Culture, Law, Education, Panchayati Raj, Health, and others. The Collector and SP of Koraput, as well as the DIG, South Western Range, and RDC of Southern Division, are also members of this high-powered panel.
The Revenue & Disaster Management Department formally issued the order for the committee’s constitution on May 22, 2025. The committee will submit its recommendations to the Chief Minister for further action, laying the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive development model for one of Odisha’s most sensitive and strategically important border regions.
