Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has received the second interim report of the Sattwalipi Committee on the Lingaraj Temple, outlining a series of recommendations aimed at improving temple administration, rituals, and infrastructure.
The report was submitted to Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan by the two-member committee constituted under the chairmanship of Justice Dr. Durga Prasanna Choudhury, with Prof Prafulla Kumar Mishra as a member.
The committee, according to an official release, has proposed around 16 measures covering key aspects such as the conduct of rituals and seva-puja, ensuring discipline in temple practices, repair and maintenance of the sanctum and kitchen, improved illumination system, structured training programmes for sebayats, management of the temple hundi, and resolution of land-related issues.
Among the key suggestions are proposals to streamline ritual procedures, introduce welfare-focused measures for sebayats, and appoint a dedicated officer to oversee certain aspects of temple administration. The recommendations also include infrastructure upgrades such as repair works in the temple complex and its kitchen, along with enhanced lighting arrangements.
After receiving the report, Minister Harichandan stated that it would be thoroughly examined and appropriate decisions would be taken to ensure orderly rituals and improved arrangements for servitors, temple functionaries, and devotees.
Senior officials, including Law Department Principal Secretary Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samal and Additional Secretary Shiva Prasad Mahapatra, were present during the submission of the report.
