Bhubaneswar: The Centre has pointed out that Shri Lingaraj Temple Ordinance is outside the legislative competence of assembly and violates the Anicent Monuments and Archaelogical Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
Reportedly, the Governor’s office forwarded the Home Ministry’s letter of March 23 to Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra on March 31 seeking the Government’s clarifications.
The ordinance that was circulated in December 2020 had proposed to head the 11th century Temple complex by a separate law like the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri which is governed by the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955.
As per the provisions of the ordinance, a 15-member committee can be formed to manage the temple and a senior IAS officer to be appointed as its administrator.
Currently, the Lingaraj temple is governed by the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowment Act, 1951. This is a common legislation for most temples.
Notably, the Union Culture Ministry has raised questions after the ordinance went to the President for the permission.
