Opposition Biju Janata Dal Saturday blamed Bharatiya Janata Party government in Odisha for playing a game of deceit with people over much-awaited inventory of Lord Jagannath's Ratna Bhandar in Puri temple. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty had the charge following Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan's announcement that the inventory of the Lord's treasury will commence after Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputes two of its experts for the task.
The minister, however, added that the process of inventorying the Lord's treasure house has already begun with the state government having sent a letter to the RBI authorities to appoint two experts who have suitable experience.
"The Lord's treasures kept in a temporary strong room in the temple complex, now would be relocated to the Ratna Bhandar once the repair and conservation works are completed. After the RBI gives us its experts, we will take up the inventory," said the minister.
But the leader of the BJD called it a delaying tactic by the state government, saying there is no clarity over the inventory of the Ratna Bhandar for the last one year.
Also read: BJD youth, student wings protest rise in crimes against women
"Sadly, the Law Minister indicates that inventory will also take additional time even after the repair of the Ratna Bhandar," Mohanty added.
The BJD leader turned down the decision of the state government to get the RBI involved in the process of Ratna Bhandar inventory.
"Has the help of the RBI ever been taken during the previous inventories? Is there a provision in the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, to take the help of the RBI during inventory? If not, for what reason is it being delayed in the name of the Reserve Bank?" Mohanty asked.
The Lord’s valuables are stored in a temporary strong room for one year, he said. "Now we have witnessed how some individuals trespassed on to temple grounds in Puri by climbing over the principal boundary wall. The Lord Jagannath devotees are concerned about the safety of the valuables," he added.
Mohanty opined that the government must initiate an inventory of valuables at the earliest.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently completed repair work on the Ratna Bhandar. The last account of Lord's belongings took place in 1978. The BJP government of the state opened the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar in July 2024 to repair after 46 years for repair and accounting.
Follow us
