Odisha Govt Seeks Tenure Extension Of Jagannath Temple Administrator

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has urged the Supreme Court for tenure extension of the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) for another six months.

The affidavit submitted by the public prosecutor Shivasis Mishra on behalf of the state government has prayed the apex court to allow tenure extension for the chief administrator of the temple till February 28, 2021, in addition to his original post as the principal secretary, Works.

Stating that the entire state government machinery has been engaged to contain the spread of COVID-19 since the announcement of the nationwide lockdown on March 23, the affidavit has requested the apex court to allow the chief administrator to continue till next six months considering the prevailing situation in the state.

The Supreme Court in an interim order on November 4 had asked the state government to appoint a full-time chief administrator to oversee the daily rituals and other activities of the temple.