The Odisha government has filed a clarification in response to the objections raised by the Centre on Sri Lingaraj Temple ordinance 2020.
Earlier, the Union government had claimed that the Odisha government’s ordinance to bring the 11th-century Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar and its associated temples under a special law is outside the legislative competence of the state legislature and could lead to conflict with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act) and AT ACT 1972.
The State government, however, turned down such claims and said that it had successfully implemented Shri Jagannath Temple Act-1955 and streamlined its rituals and devotees’ visit to the shrine. The State government added that it has similar plans for the Lingaraj temple to streamline its rituals and other activities. Thus, Centre’s nod is required.
The State has already received no objection certificate from Union Ministry of Law and Land Resources department of the Union Ministry of Rural Development in this regard. Besides, it had already given clarification on objections raised by Culture department.
The Chief Secretary urged the Centre to give its nod so that President of India would enable the Governor of Odisha to promulgate the Ordinance for smooth management of the Seva Puja Deity Shri Lingaraj Mahaprabhu.
“Archaeological Survey of India is looking after the maintenance of nine temples and three ponds located on Lingaraj temple premises. These centrally-protected monuments are governed by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. As per the said Act, new constructions are not allowed in prohibited area (100 metres zone from the protected monument)," State Chief Secretary stated in the letter.
"Further, 200 metres area beyond prohibited area has been declared as regulated area where permission from competent authority on recommendation from the National Monuments authority is required to undertake construction-related activities including repairs”, the letter added.