Chief Ministers of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh Issue Joint Statement on Mutual Issues after Meeting

Bhubaneswar: The Chief Ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh today issued a joint statement after a meeting held between them today at Bhubaneswar.

The statement issued by the leaders reads as follows:

“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.

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 following issues:

– 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, 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.