Odisha: Congress demands white paper on safety of Jagannath Temple

Ahead of the scheduled visit of a central team which will inspect the condition of Sri Jagannath temple at Puri on Friday, opposition Congress on Thursday demanded that the state government release a white paper on the state of the 12th century shrine.

"People of Odisha must be informed about the actual condition of Sri Jagannath temple. They should know whether there is immediate danger to the temple. The state government and ASI must publish a white paper on the condition of the shrine," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan said after visiting the temple at Puri.

Accompanied by leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress, Harichandan said, "The state govenrment in 1992 had published a white paper on the condition of Sri Jagannth temple after certain stone fell from it. As the uncertainty continues over safety of the temple which created anxiety among the people, the state government must publish authentic document."

Harichandan alleged that both the BJP-led Centre and the BJD government in the state are responsible for the delay in repair of the 'Jagamohan'-- the prayer hall of the temple. "The repair work of the Jagamohan has been put on hold just for Rs 2.5 crore. This is really unfortunate for the people of the state," Harichandan said.