Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the examination of Ratna Bhandar at the shrine dating back to the 12th century was approved by the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee.
“At today’s meeting we discussed on 5-6 proposals–especially, the SOP prepared on Ratna Bhandar. The gold ornaments of the Bhitara and Bahara Ratna Bhandar have been in the meanwhile shifted to a temporary strong room. Shifting of old almirahs and chests, use of scientific tools and techniques, etc were discussed in detail,” informed Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee briefing reporters after the meeting of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee here today.
“This SOP has been approved by the temple’s Managing Committee which we will send to the State government for final approval,” Padhee added.
The Chief Administrator of SJTA also said that the managing committee of the temple has deliberated and accepted the “Draft Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules 2024,” which will be forwarded to the State government for approval before being put into effect. According to Padhee, the 35 air-conditioned e-buses that the OBCC gave to the SJTA were also discussed during the meeting.
“It was decided at the meeting to ask the State government to transfer those to OSRTC or any other agency for its management later,” he added.
The SJTA Chief Administrator further stated that the “Arpan Rice” issue was brought up during the meeting and that the Puri Collector and the SJTA Chief Administrator have been given permission by the temple managing committee to resolve the matter by speaking with the relevant nijogs (temple servitor bodies) and then recommending to the government that a final decision be made.
“A committee comprising of the district Collector and SP will be constituted to ensure smooth darshan of the deities by the devotees. The committee will speak to various sevayats bodies and if it requires anything on the logistics front or infrastructure it will be taken up,” said Padhee.
Using video conference, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb presided over the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee meeting.
