The Samikhsya Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: Following Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s demand, the Centre, on Tuesday, withdrew the proposed draft by law for Sri Jagannath temple issued by the National Monument Authority (NMA).
Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel announced the withdrawal.
The draft by law prohibited any developmental work within 100 meters’ radius of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
However, the state government has been carrying out the development projects 75 meters from the Puri temple boundary wall for which people have donated their land.
The NMA restriction triggered strong resentment among the temple servitors.
The Chief Minister, on Monday, urged the Centre to withdraw draft bylaw notification issued by National Monuments Authority (NMA).
“Nobody can stop the work of Lord Jagannath. The central government should withdraw the bylaw notification,” he stated.
Cutting across party lines, the BJP and BJD MPs met the Union Culture Minister to press for the need for withdrawal of the NMA notification.
The NMA, under the Ministry of Culture, published the draft heritage bye laws of the centrally protected monument and has invited suggestions and comments from the public till February 18.
