Jeypore: Even as Mahashivratri festival is round the corner, the endowment officer of Gupteshwar shrine in Koraput district had gone on leave without making any preparations for the festival. The situation has caught the district administration in a fix, a report said Saturday.
The endowment officer, Ranjita Mallick, who is also the tehsildar of Jeypore, is on leave for three days now. Mallick’s taking leave without making preparations for the festival has triggered resentment among devotees. It was apprehended that Mallick’s absence might influence the smooth conduct of the festival.
This historical shrine witnesseses footfalls in lakhs as it draws devotees from various parts of the state as well as from neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh during the mela which runs for three days. The administration led by the endowment officer makes preparations before 10 days for successful management of the festival.
The festival also known as Jagar Mela is organised for three days and the endowment officer camps in the area 10 days before the event and oversees the arrangements like good roads, drinking water supply, sanitation and lightings during the festival as the police do not go to the area due to influence by Maoists.
The officer with the help of local youths ensures that nothing goes wrong during the festival and every devotee gets darshan of the deity without hassles.
Locals alleged that the road from Ramgiri leading to the shrine is in bad shape and needs to be repaired while the toilets are in bad condition. The drinking water supply in the area is also irregular, they said.
When contacted, revenue officials said Mallick has gone to her house from Friday due to second Saturday and Sunday. She will return by Monday. Bikash Chandra Baini, sub-collector (in-charge) and PA, ITDA said he has no information regarding Mallick’s absence.
Collector KS Chakraborty said he will look into the absence of the endowment officer. PNN
