Border Discussions With Andhra: Odisha Forms 8-Member High-Level Committee

The Odisha government on Wednesday formed an eight-member committee under the chairmanship of the State Chief Secretary to find ways to resolve the outstanding border disputes with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

According to a notification issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management department, orher senior bureaucrats have also been included in the panel as members.

The panel members are- the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary to Govt (Home Department), Principal Secretary to Govt (Revenue & DM Department), Principal Secretary to Govt (Department of Water Resources), Principal Secretary to Govt (Energy Department), Principal Secretary to Govt (S&ME Department Member) and Principal Secretary to Govt (Higher Education Department). 

Earlier on November 9, Andhra CM Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had met CM Naveen Patnaik and it was mutually decided to form a high-level committee comprising the Chief Secretaries of both the States to deliberate on the outstanding issues, including the contentious border dispute at Kotia in Koraput district.

Moreover, both the States had decided to work closely on resolving issues like the Kotia group of villages, Neradi Barrage, Jhanjavathi Reservoir, Polavaram, release of water for Bahuda river, mutual NOCs for the Balimela and Upper Sileru in energy sector.

Both the states reportedly resolved to extend support towards tackling the problem of left-wing extremism and ganja cultivation.