Spitting Tobacco Products Inside Jagannath Temple Premises May Cost Rs 5K

Puri: Spitting and consumption of tobacco products inside the Jagannath temple here will now attract a penalty. This was decided in a sensitisation meeting with the Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) on Tuesday.

According to sources, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Additional SP Santanu Dash, Temple Commander Rabi Narayan Mishra were among others who held a meeting with JTP personnel to decide on the measures to step up security of the temple premises.

The key elements of the meeting included the screening of devotees and servitors at the four temple gates, thermal screening, use of mask and sanitisation. It was also decided that none will enter the temple with tobacco products in the mouth.

Anyone found spitting inside the temple premises will be charged. First and second-time violations will attract a fine of ₹1,000, while those found breaching the law the third time will have to shell out ₹5,000.