In News:

• The Central government has told the Odisha government that its ordinance to bring the 11^thcentury Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar and its associated temples under a special law is outside the legislative competence of the state legislature.
  
  

About Lingaraj Temple:

• Lingaraj temple, the largest temple in Bhubaneswar, was constructed by King Jajati Keshari in the 10^th Century and completed by King Lalatendu Keshari in the 11^thcentury.
  
  
• The temple is built in the Deula style that has four components, each increasing in the height to its predecessor:
  • Vimana (structure containing the sanctum),
    
    
  • Jagamohana (assembly hall),
    
    
  • Natamandira (festival hall) and
    
    
  • Bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings)
    
    
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• The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, marks the culmination of the temple architecture in Bhubaneswar which was the cradle of the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture.
  
  
• The temple complex has one hundred and fifty subsidiary shrines.
  
  

Background

Lingaraj Temple Ordinance, 2020:

• In December 2019, the Odisha Government had announced a development plan for the temple and its peripheral area in Bhubaneshwar.
  
  
• The development plan was launched to preserve the heritage and development of the nine sites and their nearby areas at a cost of around Rs 700 crore.
  
  
• The Lingaraj Temple Ordinance of 2020 was introduced to manage the rituals and other activities of the temple and eight other associated temples.
  • Before the Ordinance, the Lingaraj temple is being governed under the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowment Act.
    
    
  
  
  
• The ordinance proposed the formation of Lingaraj Temple Managing Committee with a full-time administrator looking after day-to-day affairs of the shrine.
  
  
• It also proposed a fund to deposit income derived from immovable and movable properties of the temple.
  
  

News Summary:

• The Central government has told the Odisha government that its ordinance to bring the 11^thcentury Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar and its associated temples under a special law is outside the legislative competence of the state legislature.
  
  

Why has the Central Government Opposed the Ordinance?

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said several provisions of the proposed ordinance were in conflict with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
  
  
• Odisha Provision: The ordinance covers 12 centrally protected monuments including the Lingaraj temple and three tanks.
  • MHA’s Objection: The Ministry pointed out that it was outside the legislative competence of the state legislature as it violates the provisions of AMASR Act.
    • Under AMASR Act, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation and preservation of these 12 centrally protected monuments.
      
      
    
    
    
  
  
  
• Odisha Provision: The ordinance has a provision for retail shops for sale of commodities inside or outside of the temples.
  
  
• MHA's Objection: As per AMASR Act a monument should not be used for any other purposes not consistent with its character.
  
  
• Odisha Provision: The managing committee will oversee the lease or sale of movable or immovable property attached with the Lingaraj temple.
  • MHA's Objection: Movable property may include archaeological or artistic object (meaning antiques) and in that case, it will be in conflict with the AMASR Act, 1958.
    
    
  
  
  
• Odisha Provision: Repair and construction of new buildings.
  • MHA's Objection: As per the AMASR Act,new constructions are not allowed in prohibited area (100 metre zone from protected monument).