Ratna Bhandar Of Puri Jagannath Temple To Be Opened Soon; Stern Action In Case Of Irregularity: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced that the state government is taking necessary steps to open the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath Temple in the pilgrim town of Puri very soon.

Addressing a special function organised by BJP in Bhubaneswar to felicitate newly elected party MPs and MLAs, the Chief Minister said an inventory of the precious ornaments and jewelleries stored in the Ratna Bhandar will be done when the treasury is opened.

“There seems to be a question in people’s mind. I want to make it clear that Ratna Bhandar will be opened soon,” Majhi stressed.

Stating that the ornaments in Ratna Bhandar will be thoroughly examined, the Chief Minister said stern action would be taken if any irregularities are detected. Action will be taken against those found guilty in case of any lapse and nobody will be spared, said Majhi.

The Chief Minister said no concrete step was taken to streamline rituals at the 12th century shrine, he said, adding that no fund was made available for effective temple management.

In the very first cabinet meeting, the BJP government has announced a Rs 500 corpus fund for efficient management of Jagannath temple, the CM said.

Fulfilling an important promise made in BJP’s Sankalp Patra for the recent elections, the government took steps for reopening all the four gates of Jagannath Temple for the convenience of devotees.

Giving a warning to the corrupt, the Chief Minister said that those who plundered precious minerals of the state during the previous government will not be allowed to go scot-free.

“Those who looted minerals and took percentage and weakened the state’s economy, action would be taken against them as per law,” the Chief Minister said adding that the priority of the new government is women, tribals, farmers, youths and others.

Asserting that the BJP government will work hard to protect Odia pride and make Odisha the number 1 state in the country, the CM said  Odisha is now included in the Viksit Bharat pledge of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.