Bhubaneswar, July 15 (IANS) In a significant step towards enhancing digital services for devotees of Lord Jagannath across the globe, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday launched ‘Samarpan’, a secure digital hundi platform that enables devotees to make online donations to the Shree Jagannath Temple from anywhere in the world.

The platform was inaugurated at the office of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri on the eve of the annual Rath Yatra, beginning on Thursday.

This historic initiative has been jointly developed by the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC), under the state’s Electronics and Information Technology Department, and the SJTA. According to an official statement, the secure digital platform, developed by OCAC, has been integrated with the official SJTA portal, enabling devotees to make donations with complete security and transparency.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Majhi said the Digital Hundi – Samarpan is not merely a technology-driven reform; it is a sacred and transparent bridge that connects the devotion and dedication of millions of Jagannath devotees worldwide with the Shree Jagannath Temple.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would prove to be a milestone in preserving the rich traditions of Lord Jagannath and promoting the holistic development of the Shree Jagannath Temple.

The Chief Minister said the initiative is aimed at connecting devotees from across the globe with the Shree Jagannath Temple. He said the donations received through the platform will be utilised for the temple’s development and maintenance.

He said the system is very simple, transparent and user-friendly, enabling lakhs of Jagannath devotees in India and abroad to offer their contributions to Lord Jagannath from the comfort of their homes. Under the direct guidance of the state government, a dedicated web portal as well as a mobile application have been developed as part of this technology-driven initiative.

The Chief Minister said that devotees can log in using their mobile number and a one-time password (OTP) to make donations through multiple payment options, including UPI, internet banking, debit and credit cards, and WhatsApp. A digital receipt will be generated instantly upon successful completion of the transaction.

Majhi said there is no minimum or maximum limit on donations, allowing devotees to contribute any amount starting from Re 1 according to their capacity. Donors contributing to the temple’s ‘Repair and Renovation Fund’ and ‘Corpus Fund’ can also avail themselves of income tax benefits by providing their Permanent Account Number (PAN) details.

Apart from facilitating donations, the mobile application will also provide devotees with information on the temple, daily rituals, latest announcements and updates. It will also offer services such as booking accommodation at Bhakta Nivas for pilgrims visiting Puri.

The Chief Minister said this project successfully reflects the Odisha government’s commitment to complete transparency and people-centric governance.

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Puri MP Sambit Patra and several other dignitaries were present at the launch event.

–IANS

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