Bhubaneswar: Kotia will be developed into an model panchayat, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Inaugurating a number of welfare projects worth Rs 18 crore for Kotia region in Odisha’s Koraput district through video-conferencing on Friday, Naveen said “I will soon visit Kotia Panchayat and meet you all, said the CM.”
“The government is working for all-round development of the district and steps will be taken to transform Kotia into a model panchayat,” the Chief Minister said.
On the day he inaugurated projects worth Rs 13 crore, including a primary health centre, boys and girls hostels among others. Another Rs 5 crore has been allocated for a bridge in the region.
The government is committed to develop Kotia on all fronts like health, education, water supply, and infrastructure, he added.
Odisha government had earlier announced Kotia development package worth Rs 150 crore for 21 disputed villages in the panchayat a year back.
The Chief Minister’s inauguration programme assumes significance as Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh are engaged in a tussle over jurisdiction of some bordering villages in Kotia panchayat.
Neighbouring Andhra also plan to hold panchayat polls in three villages under Kotia panchayat of the district.
Earlier in the day, the Government had transferred Koraput collector Madhusudan Mishra and appointed Abdaal Akhtar in his place.
