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Bhubaneswar: Archeological Survey of India (ASI) technical core committee chairman GC Mitra, who is looking after the repair work of Jagamohan, the chamber facing the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri, resigned from his post on Saturday.
According to sources, Mitra has sent his resignation letter to ASI DG and the superintendent.
Though the exact reason behind Mitra’s resignation is unknown, it is believed he might have taken the decision after ASI rejected the estimation and the repair plan of Jagamohana at Srimandir prepared by the core committee.
When asked Mitra directly refused to comment on his resignation and said, “It is an internal matter of ASI and the core committee.”
Talking to OTV Mitra said, “The condition of Jagmohan is really serious and its repair is urgently required. If it’s not done in time, Sun Temple like situation cannot be overruled.”
“Cracks have developed in beams and columns of Jagamohan. Mishap will not come giving a notice. It will come at any time,” Mitra cautioned.
“When cracks develop in the roof of our house do we live in that?” He asked. Similarly, how can we expect that our God will reside in the temple in such a dilapidated condition,” asked Mitra.
Notably, a high level meeting of ASI held on May 5 in Delhi had disapproved the core committee’s estimation for an expenditure of Rs 2.5 crore towards purchase of stainless steel to be used in the repair work.
Besides, a decision was taken at the meeting to form another committee led by the ASI joint DG to reinspect the Jagamohan.
The technical core committee of ASI was formed in 2006 under the chairmanship IIT Kharagpur professor AP Gupta.
Talking to OTV, Rajat Kumar Pratihari, secretary Garabadu Nijog of Shri Jagannath temple, said the servitors of all Nijogs had requested all members of the technical core committee not to leave in this critical juncture.
“As we all know that Lord Jagannath has been neglected, the temple will have the same fate like the Konark temple if there is further delay in repair and restoration work of Jagmohan. Considering the gravity of the situation, we demand that the ASI should start the scaffolding work of Jagmohan without delay,” he added.
