Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to provide an amount of Rs 5,000 to each servitor family as financial support in view of the enforced lockdown in wake of COVID-19 outbreak in the country, informed Jitendra Sahu, Administrator (Rituals) of the Shree Jagannath Temple today.
Sahu said the amount will be transferred to the bank accounts of the servitors by way of Direct Benefits Transfer Scheme (DBTS).
Under the initiative about 2,130 servitor families will benefit, revealed sources.
A sum of Rs 1, 06, 50,000 has been sanctioned by the SJTA for the purpose, the sources further revealed.
Servitors of the 12th century shrine are facing difficulties ever since the lockdown has been enforced as a containment measure against COVID-19.
With no devotees visiting the temple, cash donations from devotees-the major source of earning for the servitors has stopped making it difficult for them to run their families.
The SJTA’s move to provide financial support has been welcomed by the servitors. They have thanked the SJTA for the initiative.
“This is a welcome step. I on behalf of the servitors and the Temple Managing Committee thank the Chief Administrator and Deputy Chief Administrator of the temple administration for this decision,” said Ramachandra Dasmohapatra, a servitor and member of the Temple Managing Committee.