Koraput: A new controversy has emerged in the ongoing territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over Kotia panchayat, where residents of 21 disputed villages hold voter ID and Aadhaar cards from both states and avail benefits from their respective social security schemes.
In a recent development, several Aadhaar cards issued in Odisha have details written in Telugu, raising concerns over the increasing influence of Andhra Pradesh in the area. Authorities from Andhra Pradesh have been making persistent efforts to extend their control over Kotia panchayat by encouraging locals to adopt Telugu language while accessing govt schemes. Reports indicate that residents are being pressured to mention their Aadhaar details in Telugu, further complicating the already sensitive territorial dispute.
A case in point is that of Khara Jhipai, a senior citizen from Arjubalsa village, whose Aadhaar card issued in Odisha contains details recorded in Telugu. This has sparked questions regarding how an official document from Odisha could bear another state’s language.
Adding to the concerns, the Aadhaar card also contains incorrect information regarding her date of birth. While Khara is around 70 years old, the card mentions her age as 45. This discrepancy has resulted in her being unable to receive her old-age pension from the Odisha government.
Similarly, the Aadhar cards of Tadingi Lubhi, Ande Tadingi and Basai Tadingi of Madkar village carry both Odia and Telugu languages for which they have been deprived of benefits under the Subhadra Yojana of Odisha govt.
When asked about the issue, Sudhir Sahu, block social security officer of Pottangi block, said Khara’s Aadhaar details were not available online. He said many border villagers have been modifying their Aadhaar information to gain benefits from both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, inadvertently causing administrative challenges.
Acknowledging these irregularities, block development officer of Pottangi, Ramakrishna Nayak, said several such cases have come to notice and have been escalated to district authorities. “Discussions are underway with the relevant authorities at the central level to find a solution to these Aadhaar-related discrepancies,” said Nayak.
The territorial dispute over Kotia panchayat has been going on since 1968. In 2006, the Supreme Court directed both states to maintain status quo, yet tensions over governance and development interventions persist in the region.