Bhubaneswar, Jan 21: The State Urban Development department Wednesday asserted that permission to Iskcon was granted for construction of an institutional complex only.
According to Urban Development Secretary G Mathivathanan, the area of the proposed complex would be 17,903 sq ft and the department had allowed only G-2 (Ground Fllor+2) instead of G-7 as sought by Iskcon for construction of the proposed complex.
He said the Puri Konark Development Authority (PKDA) has asked them to stop construction work of the proposed complex till the matter is settled in the court. Besides, it has also served a show cause notice to Iskcon authorities asking them to appear in person on January 29 before the PKDA, he said.
PKDA has handed over all documents pertaining to the case to the Urban Development department.
Meanwhile, sources said, a letter of PKDA to the State Government stated that the application submitted by the Iskcon talked about the construction of a Bhakta Nivas, a temple and a museum, but had no refernce to Jagannath temple.
But, some leaflets circulated by the Iskcon allegedly mentioned about a temple like the Shree Mandir, they added.
Notably, Iskcon was on Tuesday restrained by PKDA to undertake any construction pending inquiry.
Senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra on Monday had alleged that the Iskcon planned to construct another Jagannath temple in Puri causing widespread outrage in the State and Hindu outfits.
Iskcon has maintained that it plans only a Radha-Krishna temple on the land.
