Andhra Deputy CM’s visit to Kotia stokes fire to territorial dispute with Odisha

Priya Ranjan Swain Published On : Feb 9, 2023 at 4:54 PM

Bhubaneswar: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Peedika Rajanna Dora today visited Kotia group of villages under Pottangi block of Odisha’s Koraput district amid the ongoing territorial dispute between the two states.

Dora reportedly visited the Dhoolipadar village of Kotia panchayat and informed the people regarding the welfare schemes of Andhra Pradesh.

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A group of villagers also welcomed Dora and sought his help to avail benefits of the welfare schemes of Andhra Pradesh, sources said.

Dora reportedly assured the villagers of all-possible support from his government.

“The Andhra Pradesh government is committed to the all-round development of the people of the border villages. We are formulating some additional welfare schemes for the residents of border villages. You will soon get the benefits of the new schemes,” Dora reportedly told to the villagers.

Notably, both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are engaged in a five-decade-long tussle over the ownership of Kotia group of villages. Both the states have been claiming their territorial control over Kotia since early 1960s.

In recent years, the Odisha government has introduced several measures for the development of the villagers of Kotia. It has taken up several projects to provide better road communication, drinking water, schooling facilities at the border villages.

The Koraput district administration has also provided assistance to the farmers of Kotia to grow strawberries for strengthening their income source.