Koraput: Panicked of repeated intrusion by officials of Andhra Pradesh government into Kotia panchayat, the district administration tried to reach out to the residents in Kotia panchayat by holding a gram sabha on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Saturday.
The aggressive posture of the Andhra government in Kotia panchayat and its regular intrusion into the area have set alarm bells ringing in the district.
Acting on the direction of District Collector Abdaal M Akhtar, the officials visited the panchayat and attended the meeting along with local residents.
Meanwhile, the district rural development agency also conducted a separate gram sabha in the area. Observers expressed happiness on the meeting. However, they expressed reservation on the outcome.
They said conducting a meeting is a welcome move but what remains to be seen is that how the district administration is going to fulfill what were deliberated at the meeting.
Officials of various line departments attended the gram sabha in the Kotia panchayat and deliberated on the ways and means to bring all-round development in the fringe area.
The officials sought the opinion of the residents in this regard as it will help in ensuring a quality life to the people.
Kotia sarpanch and residents attending the meeting stressed proper implementation of the watershed projects, ITDA projects, horticulture schemes and Jal Jeevan Mission as they will help bring development in the area.
The area often slips into tension due to frequent intrusion and high-handedness by the officials of the neighbouring state. The meeting was held under the direct supervision of Krushna Chandra Biswasray, the block development officer of Pottangi block.
Naba Kishore Hantal, executive officer, Kotia, Ajay Tarai, junior engineer and APO Soumendra Nayak attended the gram sabha on behalf of the district administration.
PNN