Odisha: Chief Secretary examines Kotia poll planning
Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena visited the bordering panchayat in Pottangi block on Friday to assess the local government’s readiness for the polls amidst the conflict between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on the conduct of the impending elections in Kotia.
Jena assessed the setup for voting in nine panchayat booths where elections are scheduled on May 13 in the company of top revenue and law enforcement officers. Along with the district authorities, he evaluated the situation on the ground in Kotia.
The chief secretary gave an overview on the panchayat’s current development projects. He went to Kurudipadar hamlet and looked over the beneficiaries’ Biju Pucca homes. Before assessing the model school’s educational infrastructure, the local hospital’s provision of medical treatment, and the operation of the Kotia police station, he also examined the area’s broom manufacturing plant and anganwadi center.
Jena spoke with residents on the execution of several Odisha government initiatives. According to him, the state administration is concentrating on developing infrastructure and creating revenue-generating initiatives specifically for Kotia citizens.
Later that day, he evaluated the agricultural programs meant to improve the quality of life for the people living there. Along with Agriculture Secretary Arabinda Padhee, he visited the Barabandha strawberry plantation and spoke with the growers.
The chief secretary was joined by DIG, CS Meena of the South Western range, V Keerthi Vasan, the collector from Koraput, and SP Abhinav Sonkar.
Surprisingly, Jena’s trip to Kotia coincides with the Koraput administration’s difficult challenge of holding elections in the neighboring panchayat on May 13, when both Odisha and AP are holding elections. There are around 6,000 registered voters in a group of 21 Kotia villages that are affiliated with both the AP and Odisha.
According to sources, the YSR Congress Party supporters in AP have already begun canvassing in Kotia’s Neradivalasa and Ganjaipadar regions, whereas the political parties in Odisha have not yet begun their electoral campaign in the panchayat.
