Bhubaneswar: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan rubbished Wednesday the claims of an Archeological Survey of India (ASI) official that the doors of the Ratna Bhandar in Puri Srimandir will be opened July 8.
Earlier in the day, DB Garnayak, Superintendent of ASI Puri Circle had claimed that the Ratna Bhandar will be opened in the presence core and technical committee members on the above-mentioned date as inspection would be done for maintenance and repair work.
However, Harichandan denied that any such decision has been taken. “The state government has not taken any decision to open the Ratna Bhandar. ‘Chhatisha Niyog’, the apex decision-making body of the Jagannath Temple is yet to take a call in this regard. No one can take any such decision solely,” Harichandan stated.
“An official of the ASI has stated wrongly that the doors of the Ratna Bhandar will be opened July 8. Stern action will be taken against the official,” added the law minister.
A separate release issued by the Law Ministry said, “No proposal from Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee regarding opening of the Ratna Bhandar has been received by the government today (Wednesday). If any such proposal is received by the government in future, necessary action will be taken.”
Earlier in the day, Garnayak had pointed out that the Ratna Bhandar was in need of urgent repair work. “As per a 2018 report, an inspection was done and cracks were observed, some stones had fallen and some iron rods were missing. The condition of the walls was not good. In the laser scanning, cracks were detected in the outer wall and joints. Through these cracks, rainwater might be entering and destroying the valuables,” said Garnayak.
“Keeping the temple safe is everybody’s responsibility. Action should be taken for the six-year delay. I urge CM Mohan Majhi to take action and discuss the matter with ASI, the temple officials and take appropriate decision,” Garnayak added.
PNN & Agencies