Speculation over lack of sync between SJTA and committee
The newly-formed Nabakalebar Infrastructure Supervision Committee headed by local MlA Maheswar Mohanty has received mixed reactions here.
While a group of people close to the local MlA welcomed the decision of the Government and was on a celebration mode, some others, particularly servitors and people associated with the Jagannath Temple affairs, have protested the move.
They have resented non-inclusion of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Dr Aravinda Padhee in the panel. They argued that Padhee has already made a blue print of actions to be taken for the mega event and in fact, has taken several effective steps towards infrastructure development for the last one and a half years.
They compared the present situation with that of Nabakalebar of 1977 when mismanagement and discord resulted in total failure of the great celebration.
They said since Dr Padhee is not in the good book of some heavy weights in State politics and Government, he was not taken in the panel. His supporters said Padhee was made a scapegoat in issue in which the Government had a row with the Puri Shankaracharya during the Rath Yatra over chariot climbing.
The new committee will coordinate various infrastructure projects related to the Nabakalebar next year which is now being monitored by the SJTA and Puri Collector.
The State Government decided to form this new panel after facing serous embarrassment for wrongly handling the chariot climbing dispute. It was said that if the local MlA had been allowed to deal with the issue instead of a civil servant, he could have settled it amicably.
Meanwhile, after being nominated the head of the panel, MlA Mohanty hosted an Iftar party on Saturday. It was attended by political leaders and some Muslims friends of the MlA.
“What will happen if coordination fails between the SJTA and the Nabakalebar panelIJ let us hope for the best,” chuckled a senior servitor.