Bhubaneswar: “The services and benefits that the Odisha government will extend to Kotia residents in the coming days will be unmatched by anything the Andhra Pradesh government can offer,” asserted Revenue and Disaster Minister Suresh Pujari while speaking on the ongoing Kotia border dispute.
Pujari said the state government is in constant touch with the Centre over the matter, which he described as one with a humanitarian perspective. He noted that the Kotia issue has persisted mainly because Odisha’s government services have not fully reached the area, while Andhra Pradesh has been active in delivering facilities there.
The Minister highlighted recent steps to address the gap, including Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida’s visit to Kotia on Friday to survey for the Subhadra Yojana. The Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister is also scheduled to visit soon to resolve ration card-related problems.
Pujari added that he has personally visited Kotia, documented residents’ grievances, and brought them to the authorities’ attention. He said the state is planning to provide higher education opportunities for Kotia’s youth as part of its development strategy for the region.