Odisha Government Reconstitutes Committee to Oversee Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar Reopening

The Odisha government has established a new high-level committee to supervise the reopening and inventory of valuables in Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar. The decision follows the Orissa High Court’s directive and replaces the previous committee formed in March. The new panel will meet on July 6 to finalize details.

The Odisha government has reconstituted a high-level committee to oversee the reopening of Ratna Bhandar at Puri's Jagannath temple for repair and inventory of its valuables. The move comes in line with the Orissa High Court's directive, as confirmed by Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan during a Thursday night press conference.

Previously, a 12-member committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Arijit Pasayat was set up in March by the BJD government to supervise the inventory of jewellery and other valuables in the Ratna Bhandar. However, the current BJP government has now dissolved this panel and constituted a new 16-member committee headed by Justice Biswanath Rath, a former judge of the Orissa High Court.

The new panel, which includes notable members such as the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri Collector, and sand artist Sudarsan Pattanaik, will convene on July 6 in Puri to determine the reopening date and manage the repair and inventory process. The committee will also select external agencies to assess the quality of valuables, and their recommendations will inform the state government's future actions regarding the shrine’s treasury.