Controversial NMA Bye-laws for Puri Srimandir withdrawn

Bhubaneswar: Following widespread protest, the Union Ministry of Culture today withdrew the draft bye-laws framed by the National Monuments Authority (NMA) prohibiting construction works around Puri Srimandir.

The move came after a delegation of BJD and BJP MPs from the state met Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel demanding  withdrawal of the controversial bye-laws.

The Culture Minister had assured the BJD delegation led by MPs Pinaki Mishra and Bhartruhari Mahtab to roll back the proposed bye-laws.

Earlieओड़िसा के सांसदों ने मा सांसद ⁦@OfPinaki⁩ एवं भर्तहरि मेहताब जी के नेतृत्व में ⁦भेंट की।मैने प्रतिनिधि मंडल को बतलाया कि नोटिफिकेशन को वापिस लेने का निर्देश दे दिया है।पुरी के संबंध में जब भी कोई कार्यवाही करेंगे वह ओड़िया भाषा में आपसी सहमति से होगी ⁦@PMOIndia⁩ pic.twitter.com/oCTG3FX9YM

— Prahlad Singh Patel (@prahladspatel) February 8, 2021

“The draft heritage bye laws of Shri Jagannath Temple and subsidiary shrines together with adjacent area comprised in Survey Plot 1, 2 and 3 District Puri, Odisha has been withdrawn due to some technical glitches and the revised notice will be issued later,” said NM Paite, Director of the National Monuments Authority.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit  to Srimandir said that he had spoken to the Centre regarding removal of the bye-laws. Yesterday, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had written  a letter to the NMA urging for the same.

Also Read: Nobody Can Stop Work Of Lord Jagannath: Odisha CM On NMA Bylaws