Bhubaneswar: The Puri Jagannath Temple administration has decided to launch a smart identity card system for its servitors with the aim to distinguish genuine servitors from alleged imposters who are said to be spotted frequently on the premises.
“We plan to introduce the system before next year’s Rath Yatra. Once introduced, it will help us prevent the entry of fake servitors into the temple,” Ajay Kumar Jena, officer on special duty (development), said.The smart card will be equipped with a chip that stores the servitor’s verified information. On scanning the card using a specialised QR code device, it will reveal whether a servitor is genuine or fake.

“We discussed the proposed launch of the smart I-cards for servitors in our managing committee meeting on Tuesday. All members, including representatives of servitors’ associations, welcomed the decision. It will take some time to give it a final shape and in drawing up the modalities,” Jena added.
The temple administration said they would float a tender soon to select a vendor. A technical committee is likely to be formed soon to recommend the key features of the smart identity cards.
The temple administration provided identity cards to around 3,000 servitors in 2022 following a directive by Supreme Court in 2019.
“We currently use an identity card which is just plain paper with our name and photo on it. Anyone can make a fake card like this and there have been instances where people impersonated servitors and climbed chariots during the Rath Yatra,” Durga Prasad Dasmohapatra, a servitor and member of the temple managing committee, said.

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