Kathmandu, January 7
The government of Nepal has granted the status of the ‘project of national importance’ to a temple construction project launched by a private company.
The status is not recognised in any law of the country.
The Jagadguru Kripalu Foundation had made efforts to get the ‘project of national pride’ status that is recognised by law for its ambitious Radha Krishna temple construction project. However, the National Planning Commission denied that status arguing the project should be run by the government for that.
Following the denial, the foundation approached the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, which forwarded the proposal to the cabinet for a decision. Because some senior bureaucrats were also involved in the organisation, it was able to influence the government’s decision-making process, it has been learned.
The ministry’s spokesperson Basanta Adhikari says the cabinet has already endorsed the proposal.
The temple will be built at Padma Colony in Sitapaila of Nagarjun municipality on the western side of Kathmandu. The organisation has claimed it will be the seventh biggest temple in the world.
Rs 13 billion is invested in the project. Nagarjun’s Deputy Mayor Sushila Adhikari, however, clarifies the government will not spend a penny on the project although it will provide other kinds of support.
