Amid controversies over the proposed construction of a Jagannath temple in Puri by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), it is now revealed that the Housing and Urban Development Department had given permission to the Iskcon to build an institutional complex only instead of a Jagannath temple as projected in leaflet circulated by the Iskcon.
According to sources, the Iskcon was given permission to build the proposed complex on a 17,903-sqft area. The H&UD Department had given permission for G-2 (Ground floor 2) instead of G-7 as sought by the Iskcon for construction of the complex.
H&UD Secretary G Mathivathanan said an allegation relating to the land given to the Iskcon had been received by the department in May last year.
Meanwhile, the Puri Konark Development Authority (PKDA) handed over all documents pertaining to the case to the H&UD Department.
Puri district Collector Arvind Agarwal submitted his report to the H&UD Minister.
The Collector, in his letter, stated that Iskcon project director for Puri, Banamali Das, had applied to the PKDA for construction of an institutional complex in 2012. After verification of the no-objection certificates (NoCs) obtained by the Iskcon, the PKDA had given G-2 permission for construction of an institutional complex.
“The application submitted by the Iskcon mentioned construction of a Bhakta Nivas, a temple and a museum. But it had no reference for a Jagannath temple,” said Agarwal, adding that leaflets circulated by the Iskcon, however, mentioned a temple like the Shree Jagannath Temple.
“We have asked them to appear before the PKDA on January 29. Action will be initiated for suppressing facts,” said Agrwal, who is also the PKDA Vice-Chairman.