LIVE TV
Odisha
Recommended Stories
Bhubaneswar: Amid raging outrage over deposit of Rs 545 crore belonging to Lord Jagannath in the crisis-hit Yes Bank, Shree Jagannath Sena, a local outfit, today sought the intervention of Vigilance department in this regard.
The members of the outfit lodged a complaint with the DSP of Puri Vigilance division and demanded a probe to find out on what basis the Srimandir funds were deposited in the private bank.
“Jagannath temple funds were deposited in Yes Bank without the approval of the temple managing committee. As there is uncertainty over temple deposits, we have approached the Vigilance department to probe into five aspects relating to parking of the funds,” said Convenor of Shree Jagannath Sena, Priyadarshan Patnaik.
In response to the issue, BJP national Vice-President Baijayant Panda tweeted: “Looking at Yes Bank’s mounting troubles, better managed temple trusts like Tirupati moved their funds out last year. Earlier this year the Odisha govt announced it would do the same for the Jagannath temple trust’s Rs 545 crores. But didn’t...”
Meanwhile, politics heated up over the depositing of the Srimandir funds in the private bank with opposition slamming the State government.
Speaking about the issue, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra said, “It is indeed a matter of concern that the funds of Lord Jagannath have been kept in a single private bank. There is state-wide apprehension whether the deposits can be withdrawn from the cash-starved bank or not.”
“As per the guidelines, the temple funds shall be credited in an account opened in a nationalised bank in the local area, but who has given the authority to the State government and temple administration to break the guidelines. Criminal cases should be filed against them for breaking the rules,” he added.
Congress MLA Sura Routray threatened to launch a mass protest if the funds will not return to the Srimandir account within one month.
Responding to the allegations of the opposition, BJD MP Amar Patnaik said, "They should not play politics over the issue. Had the funds been kept in a bank providing low interest, they would have raised question over it. Private banks are carrying out banking operations after availing licence from RBI and their operations are regularly checked by the central bank."
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief administrator Krishan Kumar said, “We will write to RBI to bring back the money. State Finance Department will also take up the matter with the Centre.”
Speaking about the crisis-hit Yes Bank, State finance secretary Ashok Meena said, "The 50,000 cash withdrawal limit is only applicable to retail depositors. Discussion is underway over the withdrawal provision of institutional depositors. We will request the RBI to allow us to withdraw the funds after maturity."
When asked about the deposits of temple funds in Yes Bank, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “We are trying to sort it out.”
Earlier in the day, the Yes Bank branches in the capital city reportedly witnessed unprecedented rush today with depositors making a beeline outside the branches to withdraw cash.
“As net banking has been suspended, we are facing a harrowing time in transferring funds. We are standing in long queue for withdrawing money at the branch here,” said a customer, Debasish Das.
Rasmi Ranjan Swain, another customer, said, “I am a customer of Yes Bank for the last four years. As mobile banking and ATMs are not working, there is fear and apprehension among customers despite assurance of the government. There is Rs 30,000 cash withdrawal limit in ATM counters. I withdrew the amount from an ATM kiosk and now have to stand in queue to withdraw remaining Rs 20,000.”
