The Odisha government is considering amendments to the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1951, with the aim of making the administration and financial management of temples, mutts and other religious institutions more effective.

A high-level meeting to discuss the proposed amendments was held at the Law Department conference hall at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. The meeting was chaired by Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.

Several provisions and sub-sections of the existing law were reviewed during the meeting. Discussions focused on updating provisions that have become outdated and making the legal framework more relevant to the present administrative requirements.

The meeting also discussed the powers and responsibilities of the Commissioner, Additional Commissioner and authorised officers of the Endowment Department. Proposals related to cadre restructuring and the creation of new posts in the department were also considered.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the proposed amendments are aimed at strengthening the administrative and financial management of temples, mutts and religious institutions across Odisha.

The state has a large number of temples, mutts and religious institutions under the Endowment Department, many of which have a long historical legacy. The government believes that updating the existing legal framework will help address administrative challenges and ensure smoother management of these institutions.

The meeting was attended by Law Commissioner Justice Biswanath Rath, Principal Secretary of the Law Department Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samal, Endowment Commissioner Satya Narayan Sarangi, Special Secretary Pranab Kumar Patra, Additional Secretary Shiva Prasad Mahapatra and Additional Government Advocate Manmaya Kumar Das, among other officials.

The proposed amendments are expected to provide a more streamlined framework for the functioning of the Endowment Department and strengthen the overall governance of religious institutions in the state.

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