Puri Srimandir fund over Rs 39 crore deposited in 2 nationalised banks

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri deposited the Srimandir fund amounting to Rs 39.22 crore in nationalised banks on Monday.

As per reports, the funds were parked as fixed deposits in two separate nationalised banks.

While Rs 3.17 crore was deposited with Bank of Baroda at an interest rate of 7.55 percent, Rs 36.4 crore was deposited with Canara Bank at an interest rate of 7.8 percent.

Speaking about the deposits, Srimandir Development Administrator Pradeep Kumar Sahu said, “We are depositing the Temple fund worth Rs 39.22 crore in two phases. As per our previous practice, we invited biddings from nationalised banks who bid their interest rates. Four banks participated in the bidding—Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, UCO Bank and Indian Bank.”

“The bids were opened in a transparent manner in the presence of Srimandir Managing Committee members, Administrator of Srimandir Finance, and other accounts department staff. We had even given the bank representatives time to discuss with their senior authorities in an open bid. Bank of Baroda had made the highest bid with an interest rate of 7.55%. It was awarded a deposit of Rs 3.18 crore,” he added.