Odisha to prepare roadmap for development of disputed Kotia region: Minister Pujari

SENIOR Odisha minister Suresh Pujari on Friday asked officials to prepare a roadmap for the overall development of the disputed Kotia region within one month.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

Twenty-one of the 28 villages of the Kotia cluster are claimed by both Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, and a case over the dispute has been pending with the Supreme Court since 1968.

Pujari, the revenue and disaster management minister, affirmed that the Kotia cluster of villages in Koraput district is an integral part of Odisha and the state government would revive the legal fight in the apex court.

The opposition BJD, however, attacked the BJP, claiming that the previous BJD administration invested Rs 160 crore to develop various infrastructure in Kotia, but the saffron party did nothing there despite having "triple engine government" at the Centre and in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh where its ally TDP is in power.

During the day, the minister held the first meeting of the 16-member high-level committee, especially constituted by the state government to ensure proper development of Kotia area.

"The Kotia dispute is more than 100 years old, it has been there since British Rule. We are seriously taking up the case and ensuring development of the people and winning their confidence," he said.