Nandapur: After Kotia panchayat under Pottangi block in Koraput district, Andhra Pradesh is now trying to allegedly occupy land in Nandapur block of the same district, sources said Monday. They informed that various officials of Andhra Pradesh government are visiting villages in Nandapur on the pretext of providing drinking water.
The sources informed that earlier, a similar attempt to lure the villagers had taken place. Officials of Andhra Pradesh arrived in some villages of Nandapur block and distributed Aadhaar, ration, and voter identity cards to residents there. They also assured elderly people of pensions in an effort to wean them away from Odisha government. The Andhra Pradesh officials also opened bank accounts for some of the residents. However, they left the spot once the Odisha government officials intervened.
The sources alleged that now the AP officials are using the supply of drinking water as a pretext to occupy Odisha’s land. Some of the villages are facing acute water scarcity and AP officials are taking advantage of the situation, sources added. Drinking water facilities in these villages are not working and need repair, people in the know of things pointed out. “AP officials are promising supply of drinking water to the residents of all these villages. They want to set up the facilities on land belonging to Odisha and later claim it as their own,” a source said. “However, it is the failure of the Odisha government which is allowing AP officials to take advantage of the situation,” the source added.
Observers termed the development as ‘highly alarming’. They alleged that it has happened due to an apathetic attitude and negligence of the district administration. They said that plans for the development of the border areas had not been implemented despite repeated demands by local public representatives. Some panchayat samitis have adopted a resolution for the demarcation of areas in Nandapur block.
However, the block and the district administration officials have allegedly turned a blind eye to the resolution. This lackadaisical attitude has helped Andhra Pradesh officials to infiltrate into border areas, locals alleged. When contacted, Nandapur block development officer (BDO) Sujit Mishra said he has discussed this with the district collector.
A junior engineer belonging to the RWSS department has been asked to visit the Panthalung and Golur panchayats and submit a report after reviewing the water situation and illegal constructions, Mishra said. Mishra also added that the engineer along with block officials, police, revenue officials, and local public representatives will visit March 29 areas where the AP government is carrying out various project works. These projects will be demolished and the district administration will set up new drinking water facilities to fulfill the demand of the villagers.