Asom Sattra Mahasabha sought regular annuities for xatras

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Asom Sattra Mahasabha (ASM) has urged the state government to pay regular annuity to various xatras of Assam. It may be mentioned that a few decades ago, the state government had acquired land from over 100 xatras under the Assam State Acquisition of Lands Belonging to Religious or Charitable Institution of Public Nature Act, 1961 and it was supposed to pay annuities against the acquired land. However, the annuities, which were supposed to be paid by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, have not been paid regularly to the some of the xatras concerned over the years.

Talking to The Sentinel, ASM's general secretary Kusum Kumar Mahanta said that there are numerous xatras in the state which are in poor financial shape. He said that it has been noticed that some of these cash-strapped xatras have not been receiving the annuities due to them on a regular basis.

"The greater Assamese society will survive only if the xatras survive," he said, while emphasizing the need for ensuring regular payment of the annuities, as mandated under the Assam State Acquisition of Lands Belonging to Religious or Charitable Institution of Public Nature Act.

Mahanta said that the ASM is thinking about collecting the signatures of various xatradhikars and meeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in connection with the annuity issue and other issues after Durga Puja.

Mahanta further informed that the ASM has objections regarding the ongoing preparation of a new 'Vrindavani Vastra' at the Dakhinpat Xatra of Majuli. He said that the Vrindavani Vastra prepared under the guidance of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev is a marvelous creation which is unique, and it should be allowed to remain unique. The ASM will apprise the Chief Minister about its sentiments on this issue as well, Mahanta said.

It may be mentioned that parts of the Vrindavani Vastra are in the possession of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Guimet Museum in Paris. Efforts to bring the Vrindavani Vastra back to Assam have proved unsuccessful so far.

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