Andhra Pradesh deputy CM’s Kotia visit riles Odisha

KORAPUT: A visit by Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Peedika Rajanna Dora to disputed Kotia to sensitize villagers about various welfare schemes of the YSR Congress Party government has riled Odisha.
Dora, along with a large number of officials and security personnel, visited Phatusenari, Salapguda and Phagunasenari villages of Kotia on Monday and spoke to people and distributed booklets highlighting social welfare schemes of the Andhra government, including that of rural housing and old-age pension.
“I came here to ensure whether Kotia residents are availing the benefits of social welfare schemes of Andhra government or not. Also, if they are facing any problem in getting benefits of the schemes. Furthermore, feedback on the schemes from villagers is being collected to redesign it, if required,” Dora said.
His visit comes close on the heels of Andhra officials pasting stickers of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on houses provided by the Odisha government under its rural housing schemes.
Both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are locked in a tussle for more than five decades over the ownership of 21 out of 28 villages under Kotia panchayat. The case is sub judice in the Supreme Court.
Koraput district collector Abdaal Akhtar said the development of Kotia, including civil infrastructure and social welfare schemes, is being taken care of by the Odisha government and miscreants pasting posters cannot change the status quo.