Says state government fully committed to comprehensive development of Kotia

 

High-level review meeting takes stock of infrastructure, healthcare, education and livelihood initiatives

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 27, 2026

Kotia is an inseparable part of Odisha and a symbol of the State’s identity and pride, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Tuesday, asserting that the State government was fully committed to the comprehensive development of the region and the protection of the interests of its people.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan to assess the overall development of Kotia, Mr. Pujari directed officials to ensure that every interest of the people was safeguarded and that their legitimate demands were addressed through appropriate measures.

 “Kotia was, is and will remain an integral part of Odisha,” the Minister said, stressing that all necessary steps would be taken to protect the interests of the Kotia group of villages, which he described as a matter of Odisha’s identity and pride.

He also urged the neighbouring State to refrain from conducting elections in Kotia in defiance of the Supreme Court’s interim directions. Emphasising the need to protect the interests of the local population, Mr. Pujari said the government would take appropriate measures to fulfil the people’s demands and ensure the region’s all-round development.

The meeting reviewed developmental works undertaken by various State government departments in Kotia. Koraput Collector Manoj Satyaban Mahajan presented a detailed report on the progress made in the region over the past two years.

Highlighting the initiatives taken to accelerate development in Kotia during the past two years, Pujari said 921 houses had been sanctioned or provided under various housing schemes through the Panchayati Raj Department, of which 641 had been completed.

A total of 2,070 ration cards had been distributed in the region, while benefits under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and various social security pension schemes had reached beneficiaries at the grassroots level.

The Rural Development Department has completed the construction of 41 km of roads at a cost of ₹41 crore, improving connectivity in the region.

The Minister said the government was continuing to focus on essential services and welfare delivery to ensure that development initiatives translated into tangible improvements in the lives of Kotia’s residents.

The healthcare sector has recorded a notable increase in outpatient department (OPD) attendance, which reached 11,862 during 2025-26, according to the review presented at the meeting.

The region recorded 140 successful deliveries, with the reported maternal and infant mortality figures remaining at zero across Kotia. In addition, 18 mega health camps were organised to provide improved healthcare services to residents.

The government is seeking to strengthen access to medical care in the region through these initiatives, with particular emphasis on improving healthcare delivery in remote areas.

Kotia has 19 schools and two Adarsha Vidyalayas, with a total enrolment of 1,939 students. Officials cited student performance and examination results as indicators of progress in the education sector.

In the energy sector, a solar power project worth ₹7.19 crore has been planned or provided for, while implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is progressing.

The meeting decided that the State government would provide the necessary financial assistance to extend the benefits of the rooftop solar scheme to all households in Kotia in the coming days.

The initiative is expected to support wider access to solar energy while reducing households’ dependence on conventional sources of electricity.

Women’s self-help groups have emerged as an important component of the region’s development strategy. Across 21 villages in Kotia, 105 self-help groups and 909 Lakhpati Didis were reported, reflecting the government’s emphasis on women’s economic empowerment.

A total of 1,098 beneficiaries have received assistance under the Subhadra Yojana, the State government’s women-focused welfare programme.

The government has also made arrangements for piped drinking water and tube wells to improve access to safe water in the region.

Tourism development has received attention under the government’s broader strategy for Kotia and its surrounding areas. An allocation of ₹53 crore has been made for an eco-tourism hub project at Deomali, with the aim of promoting tourism in the area.

In a significant cultural initiative, a sacred wheel from the Darpadalana chariot used during this year’s Rath Yatra in Puri has been installed at the Jagannath temple in Kotia. The initiative links the region with the religious and cultural traditions of Srikshetra, Puri.

The government is also seeking to strengthen the region’s social and cultural heritage alongside physical infrastructure and public services.

The Revenue Department has settled 3,239 acres of land through 2,499 land titles under the Forest Rights Act, an important measure aimed at recognising eligible forest-dwellers’ rights over land.

Financial assistance has also reached farmers under the CM-KISAN and PM-KISAN schemes. A total of 693 beneficiaries have received assistance under CM-KISAN, while 204 have benefited under PM-KISAN.

The government said it would continue its efforts to promote agriculture, improve healthcare and education, and make residents economically self-reliant. The broader objective is to ensure that development in Kotia extends beyond infrastructure creation to encompass sustainable livelihoods and improved living standards.

Pujari emphasised that the government would give equal importance to the region’s social and cultural advancement and the economic well-being of its people.

He said a participatory committee comprising local residents would be constituted to guide future development initiatives in Kotia. The committee would provide a platform for residents to raise their concerns and demands, which would be examined and addressed through appropriate measures.

The Minister stressed that local participation would be essential to ensuring that development programmes responded to the actual needs of the people.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Koraput MLA Raghuram Machha participated in the meeting virtually from Koraput.

Those present at the conference hall in Lok Seva Bhawan included Chief Secretary Anu Garg; Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Hemant Sharma; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Office, Sashwat Mishra; Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee; Director-General of Police Binaytosh Mishra; and secretaries of various government departments.

The Southern Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Koraput Collector, Superintendent of Police and other senior officials also participated virtually.