SJTA gets new chief administrator; challenges and priority for Arabinda Padhee

Days after twin incidents during the conduct of the Rath Yatra, including the stampede-like situation and the Adapa Mandap bije mishap, the Odisha government on Thursday appointed senior IAS officer Arabinda Padhee as the new chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). Padhee replaced Vir Vikram Yadav who was earlier discharging the role as the SJTA chief administrator.

In his first reaction to OTV, Arabinda Padhee said that everything is Lord Jagannath’s wish.

“Streamlining the conduct of rituals and making concentrated efforts for the promotion and preservation of Jagannath culture would always remain a top priority for me,” said Padhee.

Given the recent incidents during this year’s Rath Yatra, Padhee faces numerous challenges as well. The first challenge would be assisting the high-level committee recently formed by the Odisha government for inventorisation of jewelleries and other valuables stored in Ratna Bhandar of Puri Srimandir.

The Committee is headed by Justice Biswanath Rath. As per the announcement, the Ratna Bhandar is most likely to be opened on July 14 (Sunday).

Apart from ensuring proper coordination with the members of the Committee, the new SJTA chief will also have to ensure that the rituals and other aspects inside the Jagannath temple, including darshan by devotees are streamlined during the entire process. Similarly, the new SJTA chief will have to give extra focus on completion of other important events like Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha and Niladri Bije in a hassle-free manner.

It is expected that Arabinda Padhee will be able to over such challenges as he had discharged duties as SJTA chief from 2012 to 2014 in the past. He was instrumental in bringing in several reforms in Puri Srimandir as far as darshan is concerned. Some of the historic reforms include stopping devotees from climbing chariots and touching the deities.