Bhubaneswar: The state government will allocate funds for the development of Govardhana Matha (mutt) in Odisha’s Puri city.

A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today.

“As per a decision taken at the meeting, the state government will soon allocate funds for developmental work at Govardhana Matha, the seat of Puri Shankaracharya,” said an official.

Similarly, the state government will take the necessary steps for holding the ‘Mahodadhi Alati’ on a grand scale on Puri beach.

“The state government has a plan to organise Mahodadhi Alati on the lines of Ganga Alati. A detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared for this purpose,” said the official.

Besides, the state government will take the necessary steps for removing encroachments from the landed properties of Govardhana Matha in and outside Odisha.

The government will appoint designated officials including an Additional Tahsildar, a Revenue Inspector (RI) and an Amin for this purpose.

“The officials will initiate the necessary process to clear encroachments from the landed properties of the Govardhana Matha and reclaim those plots in favour of the religious institution. The process is expected to begin by August last,” said the official.

The officials will identify the landed properties of the mutt as per the 1927 Settlement and take steps to clear the encroachments, he added.

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief Arabinda Kumar Padhee and representatives of Govardhana Matha among others were present at the meeting.