Odisha Reviews Proposed E-Hundi for Srimandir With Tax Benefits & Cyber Security

04 Jun 2026, 07:47 by Vinay Kakkad · KalingaTV

The Odisha government is actively considering launching an “e-Hundi,” a digital donation system for the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. The pitched concept aims to allow devotees across the globe to send online contributions during significant personal milestones. Non-resident Odias and international followers have been asking for an easy, transparent way to support the 12th-century shrine, so this proposal speaks directly to their requests.

According to a report by The New Indian Express, Prithiviraj Harichandan, chaired a high-level meeting where participants focused on how the platform would actually work—both operationally and financially. The government wants to sweeten the deal by offering income tax benefits for donors, hoping to boost contributions. Minister Harichandan emphasized that if the e-Hundi system is approved, it must feature solid cybersecurity measures to ensure absolute transparency Every rupee must be tracked, with all donations used strictly for temple development and support for the servitors.

Alongside the digital donation pitch, the panel deliberated on a crucial policy shift regarding the temple’s vast land assets. They looked at land settlement reforms aimed at giving legal land rights to long-time occupants—temple servitors, nijogs (servitor collectives), and mutts (monasteries). These people and groups have lived on temple property for generations. The goal is to clear up ownership questions, tighten up administrative oversight, and make sure any funds from settlements funnel right back into developing the temple.

Key legal and administrative figures, the people who will help shape these decisions, were in the room. Law Commission Chairman Justice Bishwanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, and Law Department Principal Secretary Pabitra Mohan Samal all weighed the proposals. Special Secretary Pranab Kumar Patra and Additional Secretary Shiva Prasad Mohapatra were also there, offering input on how to coordinate both the land reforms and the e-Hundi project.