Koraput: In response to Andhra Pradesh govt’s reported move to conduct Census activities in the disputed villages of Kotia panchayat under Pottangi block of Koraput district, Odisha revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said the neighbouring state was making a “futile attempt” in a region where the Odisha govt had already completed the enumeration exercise.“Census can be conducted only by one state and the Koraput district administration has already completed 100% house numbering in the Kotia panchayat. Andhra Pradesh’s attempt to carry out the exercise in the region is completely unnecessary,” Pujari said.Officials said Odisha had successfully completed its enumeration and house-listing exercise in Kotia on April 27 with the deployment of 21 enumerators and four supervisors. As many as 2,042 houses were numbered during the exercise.The minister said the Odisha govt was now focusing on ensuring delivery of govt services to residents. Earlier, due to the lack of adequate govt attention, the local residents did not object when people from the neighbouring state entered the area for administrative activities, he said. “Now the people of Kotia are receiving all govt services from Odisha, and they no longer feel the need to depend on the neighbouring state,” Pujari said.He added he had spoken to the Koraput collector and RDC of the southern division regarding the issue, adding that police and administration officials were maintaining vigil in the area.The minister’s response came after Andhra Pradesh officials reportedly visited villages such as Talasembi, Uparasembi and Phatusineri last Thursday to carry out Census-related activities.The Kotia cluster, where both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh claim administrative control over 21 of the 28 villages, has remained at the centre of a territorial dispute, pending before the Supreme Court since 1968.
