Koraput: With the Andhra Pradesh government executing welfare programmes at disputed Kotia in the district's Pottangi block, the administration has decided to hold a mega Jana Sampark programme at the panchayat headquarters on Saturday.
District-level officials of all departments will be present at the camp from 9am to 1pm to register and take action on villagers' grievances.
A district-level official said benefits of various social welfare schemes would be distributed among the beneficiaries at the camp.
"Old-age pension will be distributed among 40 new identified beneficiaries and MGNREGA job cards handed over to 60 persons. Also, ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSC) will be distributed among 144 beneficiaries," said sub-collector, Koraput, Krutibas Rout.
The administration has also decided to conduct a mega-health camp at Kotiya on Saturday where villagers will undergo health check-ups. Free medicines will be distributed at the camp.
"With an aim to provide better healthcare facilities to children and pregnant women, the health camp has been planned. In the coming days, more such health camps will be organised at regular intervals," Rout said.
The Koraput administration's decision to organise a Jana Sampark camp follows the visit of Andhra officials on Tuesday and launching a mobile health van at Kotia. Officials from visited the weekly market of Naredivalasa and Dhulipadar, Tadi Valasa, Kumbhi Valasa and Panasu Valasa and interacted with the villagers to listen to their grievances and requirements.
The Koraput administration has prepared an action plan involving over Rs 100 crore to be spent in Kotiya in the next three years for the region's overall development.
"Greater emphasis is on strengthening the infrastructure in the area and enhance the economic condition of the residents by providing them sustainable income. Once the action plan is approved by the state government, work will start on a war footing," said Rout. Both the Odisha and Andhra government are entangled in a legal battle over the ownership of 21 out of the 28 villages of Kotia panchayat since 1968 and the Supreme Court in 2006 had ordered to maintain status quo.
