BHUBANESWAR: The BJP targeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik once again on Monday in the Ratna Bhandar imbroglio by questioning him about non-holding of Foundation Fund Committee meeting. “How many times the Foundation Fund Committee of Srimandir has met during the last 18 years,” State BJP spokesperson Pitambar Acharya asked the Chief Minister.
As per Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, there is a Foundation Fund Committee headed by the Chief Minister to administer the fund consisting of donations from the devotees. The Chief Minister being chairperson of the committee has the responsibility to manage the fund, Acharya told a media conference here.
Earlier, the BJP leader had sought a clarification from the State Government about the decision to park 14.56 kg of gold donated to the temple in a locker of State Bank of India’s Puri branch.While 18.26 kg of gold and 119.78 kg of silver ornaments were received as donation from the Hundi, only 14.56 kg of gold was transferred to a locker of the SBI recently. There is no information about the remaining jewellery. The Chief Minister has to explain as to who decided for shifting the valuables to the bank locker.
Accusing the Chief Minister of shirking his responsibility, the BJP leader said the former cannot escape as it is his duty as the chairperson of the Foundation Fund Committee to protect the fund. Coming down heavily on the Director General of Police for failing to keep his promise, Achaya said the former had assured a BJP delegation of directing the Puri district police to accept the FIR filed by the party and register a case against those responsible for the missing Ratna Bhandar keys. It is unfortunate that the DGP has failed to keep his promise, he added.
Responding to Acharya’s allegations, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said the State Government is aware of the rules of Temple Act and appropriate steps have been taken on the issue. Acharya’s statements are politically motivated and if he is not satisfied, he is free to move court.
Accusations
Foundation Fund Committee headed by Chief Minister yet to meet
The committee administers the fund consisting of donations from the devotees
14.56 kg of gold ornaments transferred to a locker of the SBI
No trace of around 4 kg of gold jewellery