Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee approved the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for inspection and repair of Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar on Monday. This was informed by the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee after the meeting of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee at Puri today
“At today’s meeting we discussed 5-6 proposals–especially, the SOP prepared on Ratna Bhandar. The gold ornaments of the inner and outer Ratna Bhandar have been shifted to a temporary strong room. Shifting of old almirahs and chests, use of scientific tools and techniques, etc were discussed in detail,” informed Dr Arabinda Padhee
“The Odisha government will institute a technical expert committee and whatever technology or technique will be used by the ASI, it will be made after taking the state government into confidence. This SOP has been approved by the temple’s Managing Committee which will be sent to the State government for final approval,” Padhee added.
The SJTA Chief Administrator further informed that the temple’s managing committee discussed in detail the approval of the ‘Draft Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules 2024’. This will be later sent to the State government and following its approval will be implemented.
Padhee said that the 35 air-conditioned e-bus provided by the OBCC to the SJTA also came up for discussion at the meeting.
“OBCC had provided 35 air-conditioned mini e-buses. At the meeting, it was decided to move the Odisha government to hand over the buses to OSRTC or any other agency for its management. A proposal will be submitted to the state government for necessary decision,” Padhee added.
The SJTA Chief Administrator also informed that the ‘Arpan Rice’ matter was discussed at the meeting and the temple managing committee has authorized the SJTA Chief Administrator and Puri Collector to sort out the issue by discussing with concerned nijogs (temple servitor bodies) and accordingly propose to the government to take a final call.
“A committee comprising of the district Collector and SP will be constituted to ensure smooth darshan of the deities by the devotees. The committee will speak to various sevayats bodies and if it requires anything on the logistics front or infrastructure it will be taken up,” said Padhee.
Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb chaired the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee meeting.
