No let-up in Andhra’s infiltration bid in Odisha's Kotia; sets up mobile towers 

There is no let-up in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh’s attempts to infiltrate Kotia panchayat under Pottangi block in Koraput district. 

After a brief hiatus, the government of the neighbouring state after attempting to hold health camps and distribute ration cards to the people in Kotia panchayat has reportedly planned to make it a digital panchayat.

As per reports, the neighbouring state is setting up a BSNL tower at Hurumadingi in Kotia. It is also allegedly facilitating the construction of three more mobile towers through private telephone operators at Fagunasineri, Salapguda and Konadora. 

Sarpanch Liu Gamel said that the work for setting up a tower is going on at Hurumadingi while construction of towers of BSML and Airtel is also underway at other places. “A BSNL tower on behalf of the Odisha government has been set up in the panchayat.   

On the other hand, Pottangi legislator Pritam Padhi has asserted, “The people of Kotia will not side with Andhra Pradesh even though it sets up towers. The people of Kotia know who is working for their welfare. They are with Odisha. Five mobile towers have been sanctioned by Odisha for Kotia and their works will start soon.” 

DGM of BSNL Prasanna Padhi said, “The BSNL has been carrying out 4-G service towers in the fringe and remote areas like Kotia. The people who are unable to get connectivity will take advantage of the 4-G service in the coming days. Currently, the BSNL is providing 2-G and 3-G services. They will be upgraded to  4-G soon.”