TV
Puri: The Union Ministry of Culture on Monday directed the National Monument Authority (NMA) to withdraw the draft notification for the proposed heritage by-laws for the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The development came hours after Odisha Chief Minister demanded withdrawal of the notification for the proposed bylaws.
In a tweet, Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel stated that he has directed NMA authorities to withdraw the draft notification for the contentious bylaws. The Minister added that the draft notification was issued without the knowledge of chairperson of the NMA.
Patel informed delegations of Odisha MPs--both BJP and BJD-who met him separately regarding his direction for the withdrawal of the bylaws.
A team of BJP MPs from Odisha led by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a team of BJD MPs led by Puri Lok Sabha member Pinaki Mishra met Patel separately in New Delhi on Monday and submitted memorandums for withdrawing the new bylaws.
Union Minister Pratap Sarangi, who accompanied the delegation to Patel, said, "All the BJP MPs from Odisha submitted a memorandum to the Minister requesting him to withdraw the Bylaw."
Terming the NMA draft notification as a bureaucratic error, Sarangi said, "The Minister did not know about such a notification being sent by one of bureaucrats of the department. However, Minister Patel has already withdrawn the order," Sarangi said.
Similarly. BJD MP from Puri, Pinaki Mishra said, "I think the public opinion and sentiment in odisha made the Centre withdraw the draft law."
Srimandir Servitors who would have been the most affected had this Draft Law been implemented on the ground level, expressed their happiness. Speaking to OTV, senior Servitor, Binayak Das Mohapatra said, "We are all happy after the Bylaw was withdrawn today. I think there is some kind of political interest concealed behind this."
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had demanded the same soon after offering prayers to Lord Jagannath in Puri. Patnaik who took his first visit of the temple after it reopened for visitors last month, said that no one could stop development works around the 12th century shrine as part of the Government’s heritage corridor project.
"The Central Government should remove the heritage bylaws. No one can stop good works of lords," Patnaik said.
"This is the first time I am visiting the temple in the time of Covid pandemic. I prayed for the peace and prosperity of the people. I again thank the people who have made sacrifices for the temple," he said while addressing media in front of the Singhdwar.
During his tour, Patnaik appreciated the temple and administrative officials for their efforts in taking forward government’s heritage corridor project in the pilgrim town.
"He appreciated us and advised all officials to work hard for the temple development. Working for the Srimandir is blessings of Lord Jagannath. The CM's kind words will help boost the morale and self confidence of the officials," said Prabhutaran Sahoo, Puri Sub-collector.
Patnaik’s reaction on the heritage bylaws came a day after the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) wrote to the NMA, demanding withdrawal of draft notification on the new norms.
As per the provisions of the bylaws set by the NMA under the Union Ministry of Culture, no development/ construction work can be carried out either by government or private agencies within 100 metres of the temple.
The bylaws were applicable for the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri and two other shrines in Bhubaneswar.
As per the bylaws an area of 100 metre (buffer zone) around Jagannath Temple and the two others were to be declared as ‘prohibited area’.
