Gaya: As CM Nitish Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha has made his exit only a matter of time, most stakeholders in Bodh Gaya apprehend slowdown in the execution of the ongoing development schemes and likely impact on future ones.Nitish had been taking interest in promoting Bodh Gaya as a world heritage site.Besides repeatedly seeking His holiness the Dalai Lama’s presence in Bodh Gaya, Nitish took interest in the composition of Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC). He also got the BTMC Act amended to address some of the concerns of the Buddhists, preferring Bodh Gaya for night halts during his Gaya visits. He also made it a point to be present in the inaugural sessions of Bodh Mahotsav.According to Arvind Singh, a member of the BTMC, Bodh Gaya has been very close to the CM’s heart and over the years, he thoroughly familiarised himself with the related issues and monitored different aspects particularly its security and ambience.Construction of the Rs154 crore state-of-the-art convention centre, development of an eco park featuring amenities like laser light show, fountain displays and the ongoing hydraulic cleaning of the shrine etc are some of the more noticeable projects of the holy city and all these projects bear Nitish’s stamp, he recalled.He always wanted to make shrine management inclusive and for that purpose got the Act amended to make the post of the committee chairman religion neutral, said Singh.Earlier, only the Hindu DM of Gaya was eligible to be the ex officio chairman of the management committee and in the case of the Gaya DM being a non Hindu, the state govt was mandated to nominate a Hindu as the shrine committee chairman. Nitish Kumar during his tenure got the Temple Act, 1949 amended to make the Gaya DM ex officio chairman irrespective of the DM’s religious identity, recalled Singh.Mohiuddin Mian, a patron of the Bodh Gaya Madrasa (the Madrasa is located in the Mahabodhi Mahavihara vicinity) recalled that Nitish was instrumental in the integrated development of the place and his exit may slow down the growth process.Dilip, a vendor of items used in religious ritual performance, echoed the feelings of Mohiuddin Mian. But a section of the people engaged in the hospitality business appear to be happy at Nitish’s imminent exit. This section has been criticising Nitish for enforcing prohibition, as according to them, this has caused loss to the hospitality sector.Bodh Gaya Hotel Association president Jai Singh alleged that Rajgir and not Bodh Gaya was Nitish’s first and only priority. He promoted Rajgir at the cost of Bodh Gaya, he alleged. Singh hoped that Nitish’s successor will undo this ‘injustice’ and revisit the prohibition policy.
