Bhubaneswar: There is no information on alleged intrusion of Andhra Pradesh in disputed Kotia Gram Panchayat in Koraput district, informed Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallick in Odisha Assembly.
Answering to an unstarred question asked by Sundargarh MLA Kusum Tete during Budget session today, Minister Pramila Mallick said, "The district administration has no information about intrusion of Andhra Pradesh and distribution of ration and allowances by officials of neighbouring state in Kotia in 2021."
She ruled out the report on road construction work by Andhra Government in Kotia.
"The State Government will take immediate action if such activities will come to fore," she added.
A few days ago, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Peedika Rajanna Dora had reportedly visited Dhoolipadar village in Kotia and informed the people regarding welfare schemes of Andhra Pradesh amid ongoing territorial dispute between the two states.
A group of villagers reportedly welcomed Dora and sought his help to avail benefits of the welfare schemes of Andhra Pradesh. He reportedly assured the villagers of all-possible support from his government.
Worth mentioning, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are engaged in a five-decade-long tussle over the ownership of Kotia. Both the states have been claiming their territorial control over Kotia since early 1960s.