Koraput: Officials from Andhra Pradesh keep on visiting Kotiya panchayat under Pottangi block unabated and launching welfare programmes, even as the district administration has prepared a blueprint for overall development of the disputed area.
A team of Andhra officials, including health workers, visited several villages of the panchayat and launched a mobile health camp. They also took stock of the ongoing road projects executed by the Andhra government in the panchayat on Tuesday.
Sources said the team, led by project administrator of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency of Parvatipuram of Andhra Laxmi Saha, first reached Neredivalasa village and opened a mobile camp where the villagers' health check-up was conducted and free medicines distributed.
Later, the officials visited the weekly market of Naredivalasa and Dhulipadar, Tadi Valasa, Kumbhi Valasa and Panasu Valasa villages and interacted with the villagers about their problems.
"The officials interacted with the villagers regarding their problems and assured them of development. Also, they measured several areas for construction of new roads," said Kotiya resident Ram Pangi.
The villagers said the Andhra officials had promised to take up the road and drinking water projects on a priority basis. They also assured the villagers of visiting the disputed areas every week to sort out the local people's problems.
Sources said with the rural polls in Andhra Pradesh a few months away, the Andhra government had started luring the tribal voters of Kotiya.
"The Andhra Pradesh officials have increased their visit to Kotiya with an eye on the upcoming rural polls," a villager said.
Nevertheless, on the Odisha government's part, no officials of the Koraput administration could be spotted at Kotiya on Tuesday.
"It is learnt that the Andhra officials have provided health care services through a mobile health unit at Kotiya," said Gadadhar Parida, former Koraput collector and convener of Amo Kotiya, a social organisation working for the development of the panchayat.
"If Kotiya residents benefit by the services, it is welcomed. But, the Andhra government should not keep any ill plan about Kotiya," he said.
