Odisha govt will decide when to open Ratna Bhandar, says Justice Arijit Pasayat

Justice Arijit Pasayat, who is heading the committee to supervise the inventory of valuables in Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of Puri Srimandir, reached Odisha on Thursday.

Pasayat informed that Ratna Bhandar may not be opened on July 8 due to Rath Yatra. He further informed that the counting work will start from the day whenever the government takes the decision to open the Ratna Bhandar.

“Whenever the government takes the decision to open Ratna Bhandar, our work will start from that day,” said Pasayat upon his arrival in Bhubaneswar.

Pasayat will attend the supervising committee meeting comprising 12 members to be held on July 5.

“We will decide about the process and modalities of the counting in the meeting of Ratna Bhandar inventorisation committee tomorrow. The modalities will be implemented only after the opening of Ratna Bhandar. There is less probability of the opening of Ratna Bhandar on July 8 due to Rath Yatra. Whenever the government decides, it will be opened,” said Pasayat.

Earlier on Wednesday, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed that a decision regarding the opening of Ratna Bhandar will be taken in a day or two.