Puri Ratna Bhandar inventory: CM chairs high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan

In a significant development, a high-level meeting on the Ratna Bhandar issue of Puri Srimandir was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Monday. 

The crucial meeting took place on the third floor of the Lok Seva Bhawan, where key officials deliberated on the modalities concerning the inventory and related procedures of the temple treasury.

Among those present at the meeting were Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA)-Arabinda Padhee. The discussions were focused primarily on the detailed process of counting and verification of valuables stored in the Ratna Bhandar.

Earlier in the day, a preparatory meeting had also been convened at the residence of the Law Minister. That meeting was attended by Justice Biswanath Rath, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Padhee, and the Puri District Collector. Detailed discussions were held regarding the counting and verification process, including security arrangements, documentation protocols, and procedural safeguards.

Also Read: Tally current Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar inventory with 1978 report in 3 months: Orissa High Court tells govt

Sources said that a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining the step-by-step process for the counting and inventory exercise has been prepared. The SOP has been sent to the government for approval to ensure transparency, security, and adherence to established norms.

The Law Minister stated that the final decision regarding the date for the counting and inventory process will be taken by the temple’s managing committee.