Public hearing on Puri Srimandir reforms on August 10

Puri: A public hearing seeking proposals from general public and servitor associations in connection with the Supreme Court's recommendations on Puri Srimandir reforms will be held here on August 10.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has issued a notification seeking suggestions and ideas during the hearing scheduled to be held between 11 am and 2 pm.

The suggestions can either be made in writing or expressed verbally before a three-member expert panel set up by the state government, informed sources.

The panel led by former temple administrator and IAS Suresh Chandra Mohapatra as its chairman, has two other members including Police IG Soumyendra Priyadarshi and temple managing committee member Mahimohan Tripathy.

After the public hearing, the panel members will study the existing norms and other welfare activities undertaken by temple boards at major shrines including Vaishno Devi and Tirupati in the country and submit a report to the State government

The Odisha government had constituted the experts committee on June 14, after the apex court's directive to recommend measures for streamlining activities at the 12th century shrine following allegations of harassment of devotees and other irregularities in management of the temple.