Naveen, Jagan Mohan agree to solve issues through dialogues
Sukanta Kumar Mohanty & A Iswar Rao
Bhubaneswar, Nov. 9: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday had a meeting of over 40 minutes in a very cordial atmosphere.
In the meeting, both the leaders agreed to form an institutional mechanism comprising Chief Secretaries (CSs and other senior officials of both the states to solve all the prevailing disputes between the two issues, besides discussing other development issues.
The CMs met here at the state secretariat for 40 minutes and discussed issues relating to the dispute over Kotia cluster of villages in Koraput district, Neradi barrage across Vamsadhara river and Jhanjavathi reservoir project.
Soon after the meeting, a joint statement was issued by the Odisha CM and Andhra Pradesh CM.
“The Chief Ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh had a very cordial and fruitful meeting today. Both the states not only share borders but also a long and glorious history and heritage. At times of need, both states have extended full cooperation and assistance, a fact borne out during the natural disasters in the past,” read the statement.
It further said, “A number of issues of mutual interest were discussed by the two Chief Ministers, particularly in the field of water resources, common boundary, energy and left-wing extremism. It was decided to work closely on resolving the issues concerning Kotia group of villages, Neradi Barrage, Jhanjavathi Reservoir, Polavaram, release of water for Bahuda river and mutual no-objection certificates (NOCs) for the Balimela and Upper Sileru in Energy sector.”
Both the states resolved to extend support towards tackling the problem of Left-wing extremism and ganja cultivation.
The states also decided to work towards setting up chairs for Odia and Telugu languages in B.R. Ambedkar University in AP’s Srikakulam and Odisha’s Berhampur University. Besides, the two CMs also decided for appointment of language teachers in schools in border districts of the two states, supply of books and conduct of language examination will also be taken up to promote brotherhood.
“It was resolved that both the states will continue the legacy of mutual cooperation and in the true spirit of federalism discuss issues between the two states. The Chief Ministers have decided that chief secretaries of both the states will set up an institutional mechanism to deliberate on outstanding issues and find a solution that is in the best interest of the people of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh,” read the statement.
