Nandapur Due to Andhra Pradesh’s encroachment and expansionist policy, everyone’s attention remains on the border villages under Pattangi Block’s Kotia Panchayat. The state government has prioritized the Kotia Panchayat issue and formed a high-level committee to resolve the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border dispute. However, the border villages under Nandapur block remain neglected. Alleging this negligence, villagers of Raipahad in Golur Panchayat under Nandapur block met with Andhra Pradesh’s Dumuriguda block BDO, Tehsildar, and representatives from Kanduma Panchayat on the 18th, expressing their desire to merge with Andhra Pradesh. It has been reported that they submitted a request letter seeking assistance from Andhra Pradesh.
After this incident caught the attention of Koraput District Collector V. Keerthivasan, he directed Nandapur BDO Durga Prasad Dora and Tehsildar Prabhati Jhodia to investigate Raipahad village. Accordingly, on Friday, they visited the village and discussed with locals and ASHA, Anganwadi workers deployed by Andhra Pradesh, according to the District Collector.
As per information, in 2023, through letter number 545/XR-87/24, instructions were given to verify the documents of 13 families in Raipahad and register them on the RH (BPGY) portal. After document verification, they were registered. After elections, the government transitioned from BPGY to AGY (Ama Ghara Yojana) and registered 10 out of these families under the AGY portal. However, citing land document issues, these 10 families were not included in the housing scheme.
Regarding road construction, the Rural Development Department (Sunabeda Division) monitored the work, and TPSODL erected electricity poles, installed a transformer, and connected one meter per house, but the work remained limited. Odisha’s electricity department stated that once Andhra’s power connections are severed, they will ensure full electrification.
Border Panchayats under Nandapur Block, like Pachhalunga, Golur, Chatua, Khanbar, Hatibari, Paraja Badapada, Padua, Kulabir, Kularsing, and Bilaput, had earlier faced incidents where Andhra Pradesh lured villagers by providing Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and voter IDs. Particularly, Andhra Pradesh claimed Raipahad village of Golur Panchayat and included it under several of its government schemes, as reported by Dharitri.
After investigations by the district and block administrations, it was found that Andhra Pradesh had crossed the Odisha border by about 2 km to influence Raipahad villagers. Through office letter no. 397/23 (RES) ZP 27623, the Koraput District Administration had written to the Alluri Sitarama Raju District Collector of Andhra Pradesh to stop such activities and proposed a bilateral discussion involving officials from both states.
In 12723 (Raipahad) and 2807:23 (Chatua Forest Guest House), bilateral meetings were held between officials of both states. From Odisha, the then Sub-Collector Benudhara Sabar, and from Andhra Pradesh, Dumuriguda Tehsildar C.H. Najma, along with their respective teams, participated. It was found that Andhra only had proof from Raipahad villagers declaring themselves as Andhra citizens but no other valid documents. Thus, Andhra was asked to disengage from Raipahad, and the villagers were assured that Odisha would provide them with all government facilities.
Following the bilateral discussions, Koraput district administration informed the State Government’s Panchayati Raj Department, Rural Development Department (RD), and Energy Department (TPODL).
On the state’s instruction, 3 families residing in the village were included under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY) and 13 families under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY) to provide them with identity and benefits. Kulamani Mishra, Under Secretary of the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, had directed this.
Upon inquiry with the Chief Development Officer of Koraput Zilla Parishad, Benudhara Sabar, it was revealed that since August 2024, no land documents (patta) had been provided to any beneficiary under the housing scheme. However, he stated that the 10 registered beneficiaries would soon be given grants.