Prameyanews7, Bhubaneswar: On the backdrop of controversial issue of the second Jagannath temple construction proposal at Puri, the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) level probe has begun into the issue on Saturday.
The District Collector and the Puri Konark Development Authority (PKDA) will also assist in the investigations, sources said.
Notably, ISKCON has proposed to construct a Jagannath Temple over 18 acres of land at Sipasirubuli, on the south-western side of Puri at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crores. Apart from a replica of Jagannath temple ISKCON had also proposed to build a Grand Radha Krishna Temple, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Museum, Lord Jagannath Lila Museum, Library, amphitheater and auditorium, amusement park for children, Govinda’s restaurant, international guest house, ayurvedic clinic and yoga center, inmate ashram and prasadam hall, convention hall, Bhakta nivas (residence for devotees), Vedic school, Dharmashala (low cost residence for pilgrims) and a Vaishnav market area.
The matter came into limelight after senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra alleged that ISKCON is planning to construct a second Jagannath temple, in Puri. He claimed that the ISKCON had already submitted a DPR to the State Government and the PKDA (Puri-Konark Development Authority) for the setting of a Jagannath Temple more than the height of Shree Mandir. Besides he claimed such a gore issue would certainly destroy the Odia culture and harm the religious beliefs of the State's people.
Following these serious allegations, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered for an administrative probe into this proposed project by ISKCON and directed to submit a report within 60 days in this regard. He had directed the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central region) to inquiry into the matter and submits a report on the issue.