Bhubaneswar: The Centre has raised objection to the ordinance of the State Government that had proposed to bring the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar and eight associated temples in its complex under a special law.
As per the Central government, the Shri Lingaraj Temple Ordinance 2020 is outside the ‘legislative competence’ of the state legislature and violates the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
The ordinance had proposed to head the 11th century Temple complex by a separate law like the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri which is governed by the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955.
The Governor’s office on March 31 forwarded the Home Ministry’s letter of March 23 to Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra seeking the Government’s clarifications.
The Centre has claimed that Odisha government has already violated the AMASR Act by executing construction activities around the Lingaraj temple.
“These centrally protected monuments are governed by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. As per the said Act, new constructions are not allowed in prohibited area (100 metres zone from protected monument). Further, 200 metres area beyond prohibited area has been declared as regulated area where permission from competent authority on recommendation from the National Monuments Authority is required to undertake construction-related activities including repairs,” the letter sent to the Odisha Governor’s office read.
