Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Odisha’s Puri has deposited total Rs 39.22 crore of the temple fund in two nationalised banks.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Development Administrator of the temple Pradeep Kumar Sahu said the total amount was deposited in two parts in the banks which were highest bidders.
“In order to maintain transparency, it has been the practice to invite biddings from the nationalised banks on the rate of interest on particular fixed amount of the temple fund. Accordingly, we had sought bidding for Rs 3.17 crore and Rs 36.4 crore of the fund this time,” said Sahu.
He further said four nationalised banks including Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, UCO Bank and Indian Bank participated in the bidding after consulting their authorities. The bids were opened in the presence of temple managing committee members, administrator and other accounts department staff.
While Canara Bank made the highest bidding of 7.8% interest for the deposit of Rs 36.4 crore, the Bank of Baroda offered 7.55% for Rs 3.17 crore, Sahu said.