Srimandir Funds In Yes Bank Likely To Kick Up Storm In Odisha Assembly

Bhubaneswar: The second phase of the budget session of Odisha Assembly which is scheduled to commence today will begin on a stormy note in all likelihood as the Opposition BJP and Congress are planning to corner the government over its decision to park funds belonging to the Lord Jagannath in crisis-hit Yes Bank.

According to sources, the Opposition is likely to target the State government over Rs 545 crore cash belonging to Puri Srimandir being deposited in Yes Bank. Besides, the decision to not extend the tenure of Justice MM Das Commission probing the chit fund scam and delay in paddy procurement will also be some issues that will keep the debate in Assembly heated.

Uncertainty continues over Rs 545 crore kept in Yes Bank as the RBI has issued a moratorium on withdrawals from the bank and the Opposition has been demanding clarification over who gave the direction to shift the cash to a private bank. Moreover, many argue that Srimandir administration and the State government sat over the issue while Tirupati Temple trust withdrew its funds from Yes Bank after getting a whiff of irregularities in the bank.

“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should give assurance that Lord Jagannath’s funds are safe. However, he is mum over the issue. We will seek clarification from him,” said senior Congress MLA Narasingha Mishra.

The CM is the chairman of some committees and he should take responsibility, Mishra added.

Speaking about the paddy procurement crisis, BJP MLA Bishnu Charan Sethi said, “It is very difficult for a farmer living in rural area to obtain a token online and sell his paddy.”

“Similarly, the issue over Srimandir funds will also be raised in the Assembly and the State government and the temple administration should give clarifications on the same,” Sethi added.

On the other hand, the ruling party stated that it is ready to face the Opposition.

“No one has embezzled the funds of Lord Jagannath. Therefore, Opposition should not politicise the issue,” said BJD MLA, Prashant Jagdev.

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