Bhubaneswar: State govt on Saturday approved the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the opening of Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Puri Jagannath Temple. The process for opening of the Ratna Bhandar will start from Sunday, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said here on Saturday.
He stated the inventory would be a continuous process. “Govt will also take the help of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the inventory to maintain transparency.A representative from RBI will remain present during the process,” he added. Responsibility has been given to chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Kumar Padhee, to manage the process smoothly. The minister did not reveal the SOP details.
Harichandan said a digital catalogue would be prepared to list the number, weight and quality of jewellery found in the Ratna Bhandar. “Digital photographs of the jewels will be taken for the catalogue,” he added.
Harichandan said repair of the Ratna Bhandar would also be carried out besides the inventory. “A decision has been taken to carry out these processes by following rules and rituals of the temple,” he added.
A technical team has been formed under the leadership of Padhee, which included representatives from RBI, ASI, the temple managing committee,high-powered committee and a temple priest connected to the Ratna Bhandar. On Saturday evening Rath, Padhee, Puri district collector and SP visited the temple to take stock of the situation before opening of the Ratna Bhandar.

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