Jagannath Temple’s landed property: SJTA to take action against 147 illegal crusher units

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri today identified at least 147 illegal crusher units, which are operational on the landed properties owned by Jagannath Temple here.

During a review meeting on the effective management and safety of the Lord’s landed properties, it was ascertained that a total of 232 crusher units are functioning in Khordha and Begunia localities. Out of which only 85 units had entered into agreements with the SJTA in the FY 2022-23. Moreover, 52 crusher units alone have applied for renewal of their respective Agreements for FY 2023-24.

SJTA has written to the Khordha district Collector, State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and the state Energy Department in this regard, seeking immediate closure of the unauthorised crusher units. It has been decided in the review meeting to collect the outstanding royalty amount under Orissa Public Demands Recovery (OPDR) Act, said the SJTA Chief Administrator Ranjan Kumar Das.