Bhubaneswar: While there has been widespread criticism from various quarters over an official communiqué for Sports Complex on Kalinga Studio premises, an Odisha minister has sought to put a lid on the controversy.

“Much importance shouldn’t be given to inter-departmental communications unless it is from Chief Minister. As per my knowledge, state government has sanctioned about Rs 2 crore towards renovation of Kalinga Studio. IDCO has been entrusted to revive the defunct studio,” state MSME Minister Prafulla Samal told media today.

At a time when IDCO has been entrusted with the revival project, how can it be handed over to someone else? There is very little truth in what is being heard. We will develop the studio on lines of famous RK Studio and Gemini Studios so that producers from other states use the facility at Kalinga Studio. We have no intention to shut down the studio in the name of development of sports. We can earmark unallocated land or for that matter space can be created for development of sports infrastructure. State government wouldn’t at any cost handover the Kalinga Studio for any other purpose, the minister stressed.

Also Read: Opposition to Odisha govt’s move to turn Kalinga Studio into Sports Complex

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan yesterday had said that he would take up the matter with the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Smriti Irani.

“I will discuss the issue with I&B Minister Smriti Irani and request her to provide financial assistance for infrastructure development of the studio with state-of-the-art technology,” Pradhan had tweeted.

Notably, a letter from Sports Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev to General Administration and Pension Grievances (GA&PG) department to build a Sports Complex on vacant land of Kalinga Studio of Friday had raised sharp criticism from various quarters especially from Ollywood and cine artists.

The Sports Department’s move had also met with stiff opposition from Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC).