Bhubaneswar: Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have decided to work closely to resolve the contentious issues in the fields of water resources, boundary, energy and Left wing extremism (LWE).
A joint statement issued by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart YS Jagan Mohan Reddy after their meeting at the State Convention Centre, here on Tuesday, stated that they have decided to work in cooperation with each other to solve all the issues amicably.
According to sources, the major issues that figured in the discussion between the two chief ministers included border dispute in Kotia panchayat of Odisha, Neradi barrage, Jhanjavathi reservoir, Polavaram irrigation project, release of water for Bahuda river, NOCs for the Balimela and Upper Sileru. It was also decided that both states will work in tandem to tackle LWE and ganja cultivation.
Both states will work towards setting up a chair for Odia and Telugu languages in BR Ambedkar University, Srikakulam in Andhra and Berhampur University in Odisha respectively.
Besides, the appointment of language teachers in schools in border districts of the two states, supply of books and conduct of language examination will be ensured.
The chief secretaries of both states will set up an institutional mechanism to deliberate on outstanding issues and find a solution in the best interest of the people.
