Lockdown 2: Odisha to provide financial assistance to Srimandir servitors

Puri: In view of nationwide lockdown, which has been extended till May 3 in battle against COVID-19 across the country, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each to servitors’ families.

“As Srimandir has been shut for public due to lockdown imposed by the government, the servitors devoted to service of Lord Jagannath are going through financial hardship these days. In the wake of worsening financial condition of the servitors, the Chief Administrator of SJTA has directed to provide Rs 5,000 as financial aid to each family,” said SJTA Administrator (Rituals) Jitendra Sahu today.

With the move, total 2130 servitors engaged in service of deities at Srimandir will be benefited.

The amount will be sent to bank accounts of the servitors through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, he said.

The SJTA will spend around Rs 1,06,50,000 for financial assistance towards servitors, the official added.

Worth mentioning, Srimandir is closed since March 20, just a day before announcement of total lockdown in five districts and 8 towns including Puri. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced nationwide lockdown from March 25 till April 14, which was extended till May 3.

As the servitors of Srimandir completely depend on devotees for their livelihoods, their financial condition was affected due to closure of temple during lockdown.