Kotia panchayat integral part of Odisha: Union minister

The Kotia panchayat here is an integral part of Odisha and would continue to remain so despite "attempts by Andhra Pradesh to stake claim over the area", Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said today.

He advocated for joint efforts by the state and the central governments to bring about development in the region.

"Kotia was always an integral part of Odisha. It continues to be an inseparable part of our state. Any attempts by Andhra Pradesh to stake claim over Kotia will go in vain," the Union petroleum minister asserted while addressing people of the disputed area today.

The Odisha and Andhra Pradesh governments have been engaged in a battle over the ownership of 21 out of the 28 villages of Kotia panchayat since 1968. The Supreme Court had ordered a status quo in the region in 2006.

In the past three months, the Andhra Pradesh officials have toured Kotia several times to implement their government's welfare programmes.

Andhra would never be allowed to succeed in its "evil design" as far as Kotia is concerned, Pradhan said.

"I will apprise the Prime Minister of the situation in Kotia and all efforts will be made to ensure the development of the 28 villages."