Jagatsinghpur: Even as there is an outstanding of over Rs 50 lakh on leaseholders of bhog, lamp and parking slots at the famous Sarala temple at Kanakpur under Tirtol block in Jagatsinghpur, the endowment department has failed to collect the dues and not taken action against the wrongdoers.
Devotees continue to be fleeced inside the temple while revenue loot goes on. The leaseholders overcharge the devotees.
Observers said the irregularities happen as the endowment department and the temple trust show undue favour to the stall owners. The department except for serving notices to the leaseholders does nothing.
Sources said the department had earlier served notice on these stall owners asking them to deposit their dues in the office. However, the notice had no impact on the defaulters.
Observers claimed that the stall owners had dared to ignore the notice due to the patronage they enjoy from influential political persons. Recently, bhog and lamp stall owners, citing loss due to the cyclonic storm Fani, had demanded waiver of their fees. Later, the department heeding to their demand, waived Rs 10 lakh out of their total arrears.
It was alleged that the department had to waive Rs 10 lakh after being allegedly directed by a minister in the state cabinet. Later, the endowment commissioner announced a review of the decision after the Dharitri published a report in this regard.
The stall owners have not only defaulted on payments, they also fleece the devotees visiting the temple.
Bhog and lamp stalls fleece devotees by manipulating weights and prices. They do not use electronic weighing machines nor have put up rate charts in their stalls.
The endowment department every year floats tenders and gives away stalls to highest bidders. Accordingly, last year the lease of the parking slot was allotted to Nikunja Roul, bhog to Susant Roul and lamp stall to Sarada Charan Panda.
However, they have defaulted in paying the lease money to the department even in installments. The department instead of making efforts to collect the arrears chose to remain silent. It was alleged that no outsider could take lease of these stalls as a particular group exercises control on the tender process.
This year these three persons are no more the leaseholders while three other members of their group have taken control of the stalls. Locals urged the state government to intervene and restore the glory of this ancient temple.
PNN
