Bhubaneswar: Concerns are now being raised as the tenure of the Justice BP Das Commission of Inquiry set up to suggest reforms in the functioning of Puri Shri Jagannath Temple is yet to be extended by the Odisha government.
It is now over ten days that the Commission is not conducting its sitting even though it had submitted two interim reports on reforms in safety, security & administration and promotion of Jagannath culture separately on April 4 and December 7, 2017, respectively.
The Commission's term had expired on January 27, 2018 and though letters were sent to the State government twice for extension as several other aspects are yet to be covered, no response in this regard has been received, informed Commission's secretary, Bihuprasanna Parija.
On July 23, 2016 the Odisha government had appointed Justice BP Das, a retired judge of Orissa High Court, to head a one-man commission of inquiry following a hue and cry over the attack on Puri Collector and delay in Niladri Bije rituals of Lord of Lord Jagannath on July 17, 2016.
As several other aspects as notified in the terms of reference including streamlining of temple rituals, servitors’ dues and rights and steps for smooth darshan by devotees are still to be covered, experts believe extension of the panel’s tenure is important.