Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated steps to set up a degree college in the disputed Kotia region of Koraput district, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Wednesday.
The Kotia cluster of villages has been a long-standing point of contention between Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, with the matter pending before the Supreme Court of India since 1968.
Pujari, accompanied by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, visited the area on Tuesday and participated in multiple programmes. These included rituals linked to the installation of the chariot wheel of Goddess Subhadra, brought from the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Addressing reporters, Pujari said the prolonged dispute had hampered development in the region for decades, allowing Andhra Pradesh to extend welfare measures and attract local residents. He noted that the current state government has intensified outreach efforts following a change in administration.
According to the minister, several senior leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, have visited Kotia and rolled out welfare initiatives. An inter-ministerial committee has also been constituted to ensure the effective delivery of government schemes in the region.
Pujari said preliminary groundwork has been completed for establishing a degree college in Kotia. The government is also planning to facilitate higher education opportunities in Bhubaneswar for meritorious students from the area.
He added that funds have been sanctioned to boost tourism and generate employment locally, alongside measures to strengthen healthcare services.
During the visit, the ministers inaugurated several road projects in Koraput district and distributed land titles under the Forest Rights Act. Beneficiaries were also provided ration cards, pension approvals, and assistance under the Subhadra scheme.
