Post News Network
Puri, Feb 12: Daita Niyog, the apex body of Daita servitors, has refused to accept Rs 40 lakh as compensation for the ban on devotees climbing on to the chariots during last year’s Rath Yatra.
The state government has sanctioned Rs 40 lakh as compensation and a letter in this regard was sent to the Daita Niyog by the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration. The Niyog has returned the letter to the temple administration, Daita Niyog president Ramakrushna Dasmahapatra said.
“Daita servitors are not begging before the government. The government should provide dues to 185 Daita familes,” Niyog secretary Premanand Dasmahapatra and assistant secretary Binayak Dasmahapatra said.
Devotees were prohibited from climbing on to the chariots in line with a suggestion by Puri seer Nischalanand Saraswati. The Daita servitors had demanded compensation from the state government for the loss faced by them because of the prohibition.
“We will discuss the issue with Daita servitors after their general body meeting to be held February 14,” said energy department principal secretary and special officer in-charge for Nabakalebar Suresh Mahapatra.
