Bhubaneswar: Even as the stand-off continues between Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh over territories of bordering villages of Kotia panchayat in Koraput, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled development projects for the region Friday.
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The Odisha government’s action came, a couple of days after Andhra Pradesh announced panchayat elections in the villages of Kotia panchayat from February 13 and 17.
The CM inaugurated a number of welfare projects worth Rs 13 crore and laid the foundation stone of a high level bridge project worth Rs 5 crore in Kotia panchayat through video-conference.
Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said, “The state government has been striving for all-round development of Kotia. Steps will be taken to transform Kotia into a model panchayat in Odisha. Very soon, I will visit the panchayat and meet its people”.
The Odisha government had earlier announced a ‘Kotia development package’ worth Rs 150 crore for 21 disputed villages in the panchayat nearly a year back, an official source informed.
The CM’s 5T Secretary VK Pandian coordinated the programme. A special documentary on development of Kotia was screened on the occasion. Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra and several other senior officials were present during the function.
PNN