Suresh Chandra Mohapatra new chief administrator of SJTA

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Lord Jagannath's famous Nabakalebar Festival, the State government today appointed senior bureaucrat Suresh Chandra Mohapatra as the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

Mohapatra, who is presently principal secretary, Energy, has replaced revenue divisional commissioner (RDC), central, Bikash Chandra Mohapatra. The RDC was holding the additional charge as the chief administrator of the SJTA.

Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, who has been the chief administrator of the SJTA in the past, was chosen for the post because of his good rapport with the priests of the 12th century shrine. The Daitapati priests, who play a crucial role in the Nabakalebara rituals, are having good relationship with Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, sources said.

This apart, Mohapatra was also the collector of Puri.