Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Andhra counterpart YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met at the Lok Seva Bhavan

Bhubaneswar:9/11/21 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Andhra counterpart YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met at the Lok Seva Bhavan here today and decided to work closely to resolve various issues including border, irrigation, and energy.

According to a  joint statement, “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 natural disasters in the past.

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 related to Kotia group of villages, Neradi Barrage, Jhanjavathi Reservoir, Polavaram, Release of water for Bahuda river, Mutual 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 will work towards setting up a chair for Odia and Telugu languages in B.R. Ambedkar University, Srikakulam, and Berhampur University, respectively. Besides, the appointment of language teachers in schools in border districts of the two states, the supply of books, and the conduct of language examinations 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.”