Bhubaneswar: Law, Works & Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday attended a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to review preparations for the counting and verification of valuables in the Ratna Bhandar of Mahaprabhu Jagannath at the Jagannath Temple.
The meeting focused on the detailed roadmap for conducting the inventory of gold ornaments and precious stones stored in the Ratna Bhandar. The Standard Operating Procedure for the counting process has already been prepared by the Temple Management Committee and will be implemented after receiving formal government approval.
According to Harichandan, both the temple administration and the State government are fully prepared to undertake the process. The CM advised that the entire exercise be carried out with complete transparency under strict security arrangements to ensure accountability and public trust.
It is noteworthy that the last counting and verification of the Ratna Bhandar valuables was conducted in 1978. During the upcoming exercise, the assets will be cross-verified with the 1978 inventory records, and a final updated list will be prepared. The process will also include comprehensive photography and the creation of a digital catalogue for proper documentation and future reference.
The meeting further reviewed preparations for this year’s Rath Yatra, Harichandan said in a post on X. Considering the substantial requirement of phasi wood and sandalwood for the construction of the deities’ chariots, Majhi directed officials to submit proposals under forest plantation schemes to ensure the sustainable availability of these essential materials.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister’s Advisor Prakash Mishra, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Shashwat Mishra, Chief Administrator of the Jagannath Temple Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Law Department Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samal, and Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida, among others.
