Kotia Row: OHRC Seeks Factual Reports From Odisha Govt

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the Odisha government to submit a detailed report on the developmental schemes it has undertaken in the Kotia Gram Panchayat (GP) in Pottangi Block of Koraput district within four weeks.

The Commission has issued the directive in response to a petition filed by Akhand, a human rights activist.

Drawing the attention of the Commission, the petitioner had alleged that the tribals of 21 villages of Kotia GP are deprived of basic amenities as the benefits of the different developmental schemes of the government are yet to reach them.

The petitioner further said due to apathy on the part of the state government in implementing the beneficial schemes, the tribals of Kotia GP are now are seeking the help from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh which has now set up an Anganwadi centre, a school and also constructed a road and providing electricity with free monthly rice to all the families.

Besides, the petitioner also said that the Odisha government, except providing a voter card and MGNREGS job cards to the Kotia tribals, has not done nothing more for them. The tribals have approached the block administration several times for providing the basic amenities like road, provision of drinking water and electricity but to no avail, he pointed out.

Acting on the petition, the Commission has directed the RDC, Southern Division, Berhampur and the Collector and District Magistrate, Koraput to submit their factual reports within four weeks.