Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday discussed modalities for implementing digital E-Hundi mechanism at Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple.
The meeting, chaired by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, deliberated on the long-standing demand of non-resident devotees, who wish to donate on auspicious personal occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or in fulfilment of wishes. The proposed ‘digital hundi’ system, tentatively named Samarpan, will allow global devotees to securely contribute to the temple.
Key Highlights of the E-Hundi Initiative
Tax Exemptions: Financial contributions made through the digital hundi will qualify for income tax exemptions to encourage transparent and institutional giving.
Dedicated Development: Minister Harichandan confirmed that the entire revenue accumulated through the E-Hundi will be exclusively utilized for the infrastructure development and conservation of the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Cyber Security Guardrails: With online financial transactions prone to digital fraud, the Minister strictly instructed officials to put stringent security protocols in place to prevent cybercriminals from cloning or exploiting the portal.
“The E-Hundi will seamlessly connect global emotions to the feet of Mahaprabhu. However, cyber safety remains our top priority so that no devotee is duped by malicious elements,” Harichandan noted
Land Rights for Servitors, Nijogs, and Mutts Under Review
In another significant administrative reform, the government convened its third-round high-level review meeting concerning the Shree Jagannath Land Settlement System.
For generations, several temple servitors (sevayats), traditional bodies (nijogs), and religious monasteries (mutts) have been residing on lands legally registered under the deity’s name without formal property rights.
Resolving Centuries-Old Settlement Issues
Securing Legal Land Rights: The ongoing settlement process will legally validate the occupancy rights of the traditional families and institutions who have guarded the temple traditions for centuries.
Streamlining Temple Revenue: Beyond settling domestic anxiety for the servitors, this reform will systematically map out land possessions, enabling proper revenue collection that will go directly into the temple’s permanent corpus fund.
The meeting was attended by Law Commission Chairman Justice Bishwanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Aravind Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Law Department Pavitra Mohan Samal, and other senior officials.
