Cuttack: Justice BP Das Commission, appointed by the Odisha government to suggest reforms in management of Puri Sri Jagannath temple, would begin its work after November 4.
A decision to this effect was taken in the first meeting convened by the Commission here today which was attended by several well-known personalities including freedom fighters, senior retired bureaucrats, social activists, lawyers and Niti Prasasak of Shri Jagannath Temple.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, Justice Bimal Prasad Das said the Commission in its notice had invited people to submit their affidavits suggesting reforms in the temple management and fixed the date for the meeting which was held today to discuss the manner which the Commission would begin its work.
“It was decided that the hearing would be given to all as per natural justice. Besides, the Commission, which has received the affidavits, would consider them as evidence. In case any party is affected by any evidence, it will be served notice and the Commission would also hear its side of the affected party,” Justice Das said.
He also informed that to receive affidavits from people, the Commission had put up 32 drop boxes at the collector’s office in each district headquarters.
“The last date of submitting affidavits is November 4 after which a deputy collector of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) rank would collect these affidavits from the respective district headquarters and submit these before the commission in sealed envelopes. Later, the Commission would sort out these affidavits and begin the process for hearing,” he added.
Expressing happiness over receiving about 80 affidavits from outside Odisha and foreign countries through e-mail, Justice Das said the suggestions mentioned in these affidavits would immensely help the Commission in its work.
“I hope the Commission would receive more affidavits through e-mail by November 4,” he added.
Taking strong note of the Niladri Bije fiasco on July 17, the state government had set up a judicial commission headed by former judge of the Orissa High Court Justice Bimal Prasad Das on July 21 to suggest reforms in management of Puri Sri Jagannath temple.
Announcing the decision of the state government, Law minister Arun Sahoo had said the Commission would give suggestions on disciplined rituals, security arrangements, disciplined darshan for devotees, training and education to servitors, conservation of heritage and propagation of Jagannath culture. Besides, former chief administrator of the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Mahimohan Tripathy will assist the Commission in its work, the minister had said.