Andhra officials’ presence in Kotia sparks tensions before Utkal Divas | Bhubaneswar News
Koraput: As the Koraput administration prepares to celebrate Utkal Divas at Koraput district’s Kotia panchayat, tensions are rising in the region due to the persistent presence of Andhra officials. This comes as 21 of the 28 villages in the area remain hotly contested between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
“From time to time, Andhra officials secretly enter our area and try to influence our people with the social security schemes of the Andhra government,” said Liu Gamel, sarpanch of Kotia.
According to sources, Andhra officials have been approaching the elderly and Anganwadi centres, conducting Aadhaar-based KYC verification for children and students despite their existing Odisha Aadhaar cards. Their names are allegedly being altered to facilitate access to Andhra govt benefits.
Additionally, the completion of the construction work of a 10,000-litre drinking water tank at Dhuli Padar village, under the very nose of the local administration, signals Andhra Pradesh’s persistent efforts to strengthen its foothold in the region. In Neradivalsa village, Andhra govt employees were seen gathering under a tamarind tree, distributing benefits from schemes such as elderly pensions and financial aid under the Amma Vodi scheme for schoolchildren.
While these frequent visits have intensified tensions, the Koraput administration maintains that Odisha is actively undertaking all development activities, including civil infrastructure and livelihood programs, in Kotia.
“All development activities in Kotia are being handled by the Odisha govt. The situation is being closely monitored, and necessary action will be taken,” said Ramnath Nayak, block development officer of Pottangi.
Nayak added that the block administration will launch a massive Aadhaar-based KYC drive in Kotia in the first week of April. “Additionally, at least 618 women who were previously left out of the Subhadra Yojana due to dual Aadhaar card issues have now been included under the scheme,” he said.
“From time to time, Andhra officials secretly enter our area and try to influence our people with the social security schemes of the Andhra government,” said Liu Gamel, sarpanch of Kotia.
According to sources, Andhra officials have been approaching the elderly and Anganwadi centres, conducting Aadhaar-based KYC verification for children and students despite their existing Odisha Aadhaar cards. Their names are allegedly being altered to facilitate access to Andhra govt benefits.
Additionally, the completion of the construction work of a 10,000-litre drinking water tank at Dhuli Padar village, under the very nose of the local administration, signals Andhra Pradesh’s persistent efforts to strengthen its foothold in the region. In Neradivalsa village, Andhra govt employees were seen gathering under a tamarind tree, distributing benefits from schemes such as elderly pensions and financial aid under the Amma Vodi scheme for schoolchildren.
While these frequent visits have intensified tensions, the Koraput administration maintains that Odisha is actively undertaking all development activities, including civil infrastructure and livelihood programs, in Kotia.
“All development activities in Kotia are being handled by the Odisha govt. The situation is being closely monitored, and necessary action will be taken,” said Ramnath Nayak, block development officer of Pottangi.
Nayak added that the block administration will launch a massive Aadhaar-based KYC drive in Kotia in the first week of April. “Additionally, at least 618 women who were previously left out of the Subhadra Yojana due to dual Aadhaar card issues have now been included under the scheme,” he said.
