Odisha Govt forms 12-member panel to supervise Ratna Bhandar audit

BHUBANESHWAR: The state govt on Thursday constituted a 12-member committee headed by retired judge of Supreme Court, Justice Arijit Pasayat, to supervise the inventory of jewellery stored in Ratna Bhandar of Puri Jagannath Temple during the Rath Yatra in July. Heart surgeon Ramakant Panda has been made the deputy chairman of the committee.

On Aug 4, 2023, the temple managing committee had said it would urge the govt to form a high-level committee to oversee the inspection and audit of Ratna Bhandar during the nine-day Rath Yatra, scheduled to start from July 7.

While disposing of a PIL on Sept 29, 2023 filed by BJP leader Samir Mohanty on the safety of Ratna Bhandar, the Orissa high court had endorsed the temple committee's decision and directed the govt to form the high-level committee. On Feb 16, the govt had assured the high court that the committee will be constituted within four weeks.

"The committee has 12 members including a representative of Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, four servitors, Puri collector and an ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) official," the chief minister's office (CMO) said in a statement.