Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his counterpart in Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have mutually decided to set up an institutional mechanism to find out solutions to several inter-State issues pending between the two States.
During a meeting here at Convention Centre of Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday evening, the Chief Ministers have decided that Chief Secretaries (CSs) 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, it said.
The Chief Ministers discussed several issues related to water resources, common boundary, energy and left-wing extremism (LWE) and decided to set up an institutional mechanism to find solutions to the inter-State issues.
As per a joint statement issued by both Chief Ministers, they decided to work closely on resolving the border dispute in Kotia group of villages, construction of Neradi Barrage, Jhanjavathi reservoir, Polavaram, release of water for Bahuda river.
The meeting also discussed the issuance of mutual no objection certificates (NOCs) for the Balimela and Upper Sileru hydro electricity projects.
Both the States resolved to extend support towards tackling the problem of left-wing extremism and ganja cultivation, the statement said.
During the meeting, it was resolved that both the States will continue the legacy of mutual cooperation and in the true spirit of federalism.
Similarly, both the States will work towards setting up a chair for Odia and Telugu languages in BR Ambedkar University, Srikakulam in AP and Berhampur University in Odisha, respectively.
Besides, 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.
The border dispute over the Kotia group of villages lasted for several decades. The Supreme Court on August 31 had observed that the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border dispute should be solved through mutual discussions. Now, all eyes on the steps to be taken by the Chief Secretaries of both States.