Bhubaneswar: Facing vehement opposition from temple servitors, citizens and politicians from across Odisha, Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel Friday put the National Monument Authority (NMA) draft heritage bylaws for the state on hold.
According to sources, the crucial decision came after intense protests against the controversial bylaws from different quarters in the state. A delegation of BJP leaders had met Patel demanding withdrawal of the bylaws.
Union Minister of MSME Pratap Sarangi had also written to Patel February 9 urging the Centre to rethink over the matter.
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Patel clarified in response to Sarangi’s correspondence that the officers concerned have been directed to put the proposal on hold. A final call will be taken after detailed deliberation in this regard.
“I have asked the concerned officers to keep the proposal on hold. The final decision on the same would be taken only after the matter is discussed and deliberated with all the stake holders and considering their views there on,” the Culture Minister wrote in his reply.
Notably, the Ministry had earlier withdrawn the draft heritage bylaws February 8 for Puri Jagannath temple issued by the NMA.
PNN
