Puri: As resentment grew over the district administration's reported decision to cancel entitled remuneration (award) of servitors following the alleged indiscipline and disturbances during the Hati Besha ritual of the deities after Snana Purnima, the district collector clarified that the decision has been deferred for the ‘time being’.
Collector Arvind Agarwal stated that the decision to give the award has only been withheld while the matter of indiscipline during conduct of the ritual is being investigated. Show cause would be served to the servitors those who would be found guilty of misconduct.
Sources said, the administration had decided to deduct Rs 25,000 award given to the servitors during the conduct of the ritual that has hurt the sentiments of devotees.
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“Special award given for the particular job has been postponed only as per the management committee decision,” added Agarwal.
Agarwal further stated that the video footage was checked at the coordination meeting yesterday and concerns were expressed as the ritual could have been done better and in a more disciplined manner.
Earlier, some servitors were allegedly found tearing off the attire of the Trinity on the (Snana Mandap) bathing platform, which was put on the deities for Hati Besha ritual on June 12.
Binayak Das Mohapatra, assistant secretary of Daitapati Niyog on the other hand has opposed the decision.
“We want the administration to withdraw such decision as it is completely wrong and it will put them in trouble.” said Mohapatra.
The Daitapatis’ are reviewing the incident if it has hurt the sentiments of devotees. We are taking steps to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Whatever happened during the Hati Besha ritual hurt the sentiments of devotees, the Daitapatis are reviewing it and efforts will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur, he added.