Uncertainty over Pitrapaksha Mela must end: Bihar minister

GAYA: State agriculture minister and Gaya town MLA Prem Kumar has asked Gaya DM Abhishek Singh to take a final call on the organisation of Pitrapaksha Mela, a state event managed by the district administration.
Addressing a virtual meet convened on Saturday evening to discuss the pandemic-related issues, the minster asked the DM to take a decision as the prevailing uncertainty must come to an end. As per the calendar, ‘Pitrapaksha’ is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2020.
According to a press release issued by the PRD on Saturday evening, the minister had all praise for the Gaya DM’s handling of the pandemic. About a quarter million pilgrims from the country and abroad visit Gaya every year for the performance of the ‘pindadaan’ rituals. Gaya DM Abhishek Singh said that as per the Union home ministry’s guidelines, religious congregations stand banned and neither the state government nor the district administration can violate the mandatory guideline. The guidelines, unless further extended will continue till the end of the month. “He has sought guidelines from the government,” said the DM.
Sources in the district administration say that several months of preparation are required for the big event and as such it is now not possible to organise the event as per its established format and protocol.
The official event is as good as cancelled, say sources. It cannot be deferred as it has a pre-determined timeline.
According to Mahesh Lal Guput Pitalkewadwale, a prominent Panda of the town, the suspense must come to an end and a decision either to hold the event or not to hold it should be taken early. “The ambiguity cannot do any good to anybody,” said the Panda.
“Even if the event is organised, the footfall is likely to be very low,” said the Panda leader. The event, all these years, has been the backbone of Gaya economy, Guput added.