PARALAKHEMUNDI: The entire Odisha comes alive today to celebrate the Utkal divas,the special occasion.This year the saffron party in power in the state also drawn several programmes including`Odia Paksha`,a fortnight long celebration.But,the scenario is different in boardering villages of Odisha,as they are sandwiched between Odisha and Andhra pradesh territory dispute.The neighbouring Andhra Pradesh’s intrusion into Odisha’s territory is not new as several instances of its forceful trespass contined since decades in the bordering districts of Koraput,Rayagada,Ganjam and Gajapati.Among such villages,Manikapatna village in Gangabada panchayat under Rayagada block of Gajapati district is one.As per official records Manikpatana is in Odisha,but as it situates at the boarder,Andhra govt continued its efforts to encroch the village.As such the residents are more inclined to telugu language and callous attitude by the Gajapati administration has paved way too woo the people of the village.The AP administration has extended most of its public oriented programmes for the villagers and the Gajapati administration sitting pretty.Manikpatana remains in limelight during panchayat and general elections,as a good number of the residents cast their votes for both the states.The villagers has Voter I card,Aadhar card of both the states and availing duel benefits.Along with it the village has Anganwadi centres of both the states.However,while the kids of Anganwadi centre of Andhra were served additional foods,sweets during last two days on the occasion of Ugadi celebration,no such arrangement was there today at the Anganwadi centre of Odisha.Incidently,the AP has constructed its Anganwadi centre in the village on Odisha land,but the Gajapati administration did nothing.In 2021,officers of Gajapati tried to oppose the AP move and were humilated by AP minister.Following the incident,a hue and cry started alleging the negligence of the than BJD govt in the state.Even a group of BJP leaders visited the village and urged for a concrete solution.However the problem continued,although the BJP is now rulling Odisha.Not only the developmental programmes,AP leaders reportedly assured to provide land rights to residents and are collecting applications from locals to include them in housing schemes.Surprisingly,Gajapati administration is tightlipped over the matter,however local sarapanch haribandhu karji reacted sharply against such move of AP.
According to Karji,both state governments are implementing their respective welfare schemes in the boarder villages.As the residents are benefiting from both sides no resentment is there.But now the AP,Anganwadi centre is serving higher-quality food including daily servings of eggs and milk for children,where as Odisha Anganwadi centre serves much less,what attracts the kids and their parents to join the AP Anganwadi centre.Karji admitted that a good number of kids in Odisha villages stays in AP for their studies as no hostel facility is there in the area.He said not only the Gajapati administration aware about the highhandedness of AP,also odisha govt knows verywell,still no steps were taken to redress the problems.
