Forceful Collection Of Puja Donation: Bus Owners' Association Seeks Odisha DGP's Intervention

Cuttack: Ahead of the festive season, Odisha State Private Bus Owners' Association has sought the intervention of DGP BK Sharma to put a check on incidents of forcible collection of puja donation.

In a memorandum, the private bus association has claimed that they have been facing numerous problems due to such illegal practice in several parts of the State. However, the problem has assumed serious proportions in the districts of Kendrapara, Dhenkanal and Bolangir as buses are being targeted for refusing to pay donations.

"From Ganesh chaturthi to Kartikeswar Puja, donations are being collected across the State. We have requested Odisha DGP to take steps so that no donation is collected from buses on road which causes inconvenience to passengers," said State Private Bus Owners' Association secretary, Debendra Sahu.

Sahu further stated that the association has requested Odisha Police to ensure that the puja committees submit undertaking that they will not collect donations from buses.

"Odisha DGP has assured to instruct all police stations to ensure that stringent action is taken against those indulging in forcible collection of donations," Sahu added.

However, DGP's comments on the issue could not be obtained. The story will be updated after getting a response from the senior police official.