Odisha Govt Bows To Opposition Pressure, To Form House Panel For Srimandir Project Inspection

Bowing to mounting pressure from the Opposition, the Odisha government on Tuesday said in the Assembly that it is ready to constitute a House committee for inspection of the heritage corridor project around Puri Jagannath temple.

“All committees of the Assembly will be constituted on March 31. The government is ready to form a House committee in this regard at that time,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh told the Assembly.

Arukh said works on the heritage corridor project around the shrine is underway and claimed that there is no threat of damage to Srimandir from the ongoing project.    

Earlier in the day, raising the issue during the zero hour of the Assembly, BJP Puri MLA Jayant Sarangi claimed that cracks were seen in the Jagannath temple after the ongoing heritage corridor works triggered vibration. 

Sarangi said no one is against development, but the government will be held responsible if any damage is caused to the shrine in the name of development.

“An expert committee should be constituted to inspect the ongoing works around Srimandir. If the committee finds its ok, the government is then free to go ahead with the project,” Sarangi said. 

“The ASI and NMA have not given approval for any permanent project around Srimandir. The committee can find out the truth. But why the government is apprehensive of forming the committee? Lord Jagannath will never forgive the government if any damage is inflicted to the shrine,” he added.  

Congress legislative party leader Narasingha Mishra also raised the issue in the Assembly and demanded that a committee be formed and sent to Puri to inspect the project. 

“The permission of ASI is needed which has not been taken. Experts say these works in the name of development will pose serious threats to Srimandir. The silence of the Speaker on the issue is unfortunate. Development must not lead to destructions,” Mishra said.

Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Majhi said, “If the Speaker does not form an all-party committee for inspection of the ongoing works and not give any ruling over the issue, we will raise the issue in the well of the House.” 

Earlier in a written statement, Law Minister Pratap Jena said, “As per Section 19 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 permission is required from the Central Government for construction of any building and excavation etc. within the protected area as defined under section 20-A of the said Act that is a distance of 100 meters in all directions of the protected monument. The State Government through the Competent Authentic, if required, will obtain the required permission prior to any construction within the prohibited area of the protected Monuments/ temples.” 

Speaking on the issue, senior BJD MLA Debi Mishra said, “The ASI, Works department and others involved can tell the technical aspects of the project. If the Opposition wanted a discussion on the issue in the House, why did they create ruckus which subsequently led to adjournment of the session? It is not right at all.”

Ananta Tiadi, a member of Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee said, “When the plan was sanctioned, our demand was that no building should be above the height of Meghanad Prachir (temple outer wall). The proposal was accepted by them. Along with servitors, the heritage corridor project will immensely benefit devotees.”