Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar inventory work soon; RBI nominates 2 officials, says Law Minister

Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday said that the process for the inventory of the valuables inside Puri Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar is underway and progressing steadily.

Addressing the media, the Minister said that the Odisha government had written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requesting the deployment of two expert officials for the counting and verification of the temple’s treasures. The RBI has already recommended the names of two such experts, he added.

A dedicated Srimandir Managing Committee will be formed very soon to oversee the proceedings. Once the Committee grants its approval, the ornaments currently stored outside will be shifted back to the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar.

Following this, the RBI officials will be informed of a scheduled date for the inspection. The nominated experts will then physically inspect and count the assets, the Law Minister confirmed.

“The Reserve Bank of India has already nominated two officials for the inventory of Ratna Bhandar. The Temple’s Management Committee will be formed soon. Once it is formed, the shifting of valuables to the inner Ratna Bhandar will begin after the Committee’s approval. Once the ornaments are shifted, we will inform the RBI about the scheduled date for the counting of the ornaments. The inventory will be done in the presence of the RBI officials,” Harichandan stated.