Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik on Wednesday hit out at the Odisha government in the Assembly alleging that it has failed to provide basic facilities to people of Kotia and other border areas in the State.
In reply to a discussion on the adjournment motion, Revenue Minister Sudam Marndi informed the Assembly that 14 districts of the State share border with other states of which six have been embroiled in disputes notably Koraput, Ganjam, Gajapati, Balasore, Mayurbhnaj, Keonjhar and Nuapada.
In a written reply on the Kotia dispute, the Minister said the Odisha government has sought four weeks’ time from Supreme Court for filing counter affidavit against Andhra government. Andhra Pradesh has submitted its reply on February 17.
On border dispute with West Bengal, Marndi said senior officials of both States will hold a meeting at Midnapore tomorrow and date for demarcation of boundary will be finalised on the occasion.
Criticising the State government on the Kotia issue, Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said, “Congress says Mati (territory) first then party, but for BJD, party comes first and then the territory and Kotia issue is a burning example of the State government such heinous policy. Despite being in power, the BJD government has done nothing for the development of the region. In 2018, when Andhra Pradesh government nominated sarpanch in Kotia, Congress was first to reach there.”
BJP MLA Mohan Majhi said, “The Minister’s reply on Kotia is laughable. We proposed that all MLAs and ministers will visit Kotia and other districts having border dispute and the issues will be resolved in just five minutes. But the government did not accept it.”
Speaking on the issue, Revenue Minister Sudam Marndi said, “Unauthorised grabbing of territory by other states will not be tolerated for which we have moved the Supreme Court. We have sought four weeks’ time from the apex court to submit reply. Various development activities are being undertaken in the border areas of the State.”
During the question hours in the Assembly, Minister Arun Sahoo said the State government on March 25, 2017 had demanded MSP of paddy at 2930 and the demanded was again raised on July 13, 2018.
The production cost of paddy is estimated at Rs 2344 per quintal and a proposal was moved in the Cabinet recently and subsequently sent to the Centre for fixing the MSP accordingly, the minister added.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)