Bhubaneswar: In response to continued intrusions by Andhra Pradesh in the disputed Kotia region of Koraput district, the Odisha government is preparing a comprehensive, department-wise development plan for the area to strengthen its administrative presence and deliver public welfare services more effectively.
This decision was taken during a meeting of the high-level committee constituted specifically for Kotia’s development. Chairing the meeting, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari directed all concerned departments to submit their respective action plans within a month.
The Minister emphasized a holistic approach encompassing economic, social, and cultural growth of the region. Department secretaries were instructed to work in close coordination with the Koraput District Collector to formulate detailed proposals focusing on infrastructure development, improved market access for farmers, and new employment avenues for local youth.
“A special roadmap will be drawn up for Kotia’s development. Each department must identify on-ground issues and ensure that the benefits of both state and central welfare schemes reach every household in the region,” Pujari stated.
Reaffirming Odisha’s claim, Pujari said Kotia remains an integral part of the state. “This issue has persisted for over a century. In the past, we lost ground due to inadequate legal representation and lack of proper documentation. We will not repeat those mistakes,” he asserted.
To strengthen its legal position, the state government is now reviving the long-pending case in the Supreme Court and is actively consulting legal experts on the matter.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including secretaries from various departments, the Koraput District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and several former collectors of the district.
