Odisha Government committed to resolving the Kotia dispute: Minister Suresh Pujari

Advertisement

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, conducted a detailed review of the Kotia Gram Panchayat issue in Koraput district via a virtual mode.

In order to safeguard the State’s interests, he held in-depth discussions with the Advocate General of Odisha Pitambar Acharya, and sought his counsel regarding the initiation of appropriate legal measures.

In this context, the Minister emphasized the need to expedite the necessary legal steps to resolve the dispute and to strengthen Odisha’s administrative presence in the border region.

It is worth noting that the Andhra Pradesh government has recently issued a notification to conduct Panchayat elections in certain areas of the Kotia Gram Panchayat, located within the Pottangi block of Odisha’s Koraput district.

Upon being apprised of this development, the Minister has directed the administration to keep a close watch on the situation. He stated that the State Government’s priority is to safeguard the state’s legal rights and interests, while simultaneously maintaining peace, stability, and the public’s trust in the Kotia region. The State Government is working with firm commitment to take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure a swift and permanent resolution to this long-standing dispute.

The Revenue Minister stated that the dispute concerning the villages in the Kotia area of ​​Koraput district has been a subject of discussions and legal proceedings between the two states for many years.

Advertisement

After the Supreme Court dismissed a case filed by the then-government of Odisha in 2006 regarding the inter-state border dispute, subsequent review and curative petitions were also rejected. However, instead of taking immediate action, the then-government filed another case in 2022—after a long gap of sixteen years—which is currently sub judice (under judicial consideration).

Furthermore, the issue became more complex when Andhra Pradesh conducted Panchayat elections in the disputed villages in February 2021. In response, Odisha filed a contempt of court petition before the Supreme Court.

As these matters are currently sub judice, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department and the Collector of Koraput district have been directed to provide all necessary documents and extend full cooperation to the Advocate General, who has been entrusted with the responsibility of taking all essential legal measures.

Given that this is a sensitive and legal matter, a coordinated approach—based on legal data, historical documents, census records, and administrative files—is required for its resolution. Consequently, the Minister has emphasized the need to take appropriate action by ensuring coordination among the relevant departments, legal experts, and the district administration.

The State Government is prioritizing a swift, permanent, and constitutional resolution to the dispute by strengthening the legal process, while simultaneously ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of government services, developmental programs, and basic amenities to the people of the Kotia region. Following the directives of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, a committee—chaired by the Minister of Revenue—regularly visits Kotia to review the development activities being undertaken there.

The Minister has instructed the district administration to keep a close watch on the prevailing situation and take necessary measures.

Also Read: Kotia Border Issue: Dharmendra Pradhan Calls For United Push To Protect Odisha’s Borders

Advertisement