Dikhyaa Mohanty 
At its meeting today, the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee approved the yearly budget for 2023–2024.
“While the budget estimates the income (receipts) at Rs 271.07 crore, the expenditures are pegged at Rs 262.16 crore. This budget has a positive net worth. Ranjan Kumar Das, the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), informed reporters following the meeting that the budget surplus was Rs 8.91 crore.
According to Das, revenues include money mostly from quarries, hundi, gifts, land purchase compensation, income from Bhakta Nivas, and other ad hoc sources.
Similarly, under expenditure, expenses for observing and conduct of rituals of different festivals like Snana Yatra, Rath Yatra, remuneration to ‘palia sevaks’ for the services rendered, maintenance and operation of various Bhakta Nivas, sevak welfare scheme, ‘Sevak Awas Yojana’, ‘Gurukula Yojana’ have been included, he added.
According to the SJTA Chief Administrator, while spending under the Sevak Awas Yojana has been allotted Rs 3.50 crore, Gurukula Yojana has been allotted Rs 5 crore.
Additionally, he noted, money have been allocated for the splendor of Lord Jagannath’s marketing and exposure.
The meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee was presided over by Gajapati Maharaj Dibya Singha Deb, the titular ruler of Puri.
The meeting was attended by the Puri Collector, Puri SP, each member of the management committee, and temple administrative staff.
