Bhubaneswar, July 13: The Odisha government is likely to issue Standard Opeation Procedures (SOP) today to open Ratna Bhandar of the Puri Jagannath Temple.
Follwing a series of meetings on the inventory and repair of the inner Ratna Bhandar, the government is all set to work out on the SOP from July 14.Meanwhile, the Ratna Bhandar Inventory Committee in consultation with the Shri Jagannath Temple Administation (SJTA) authorites has proposed the state Law Department,to accord permission to execute the work from Sunday.
Accordingly, the chairman of the Ratna Bhandar panel Justice Biswanath Rath had urged the government to issue essential SOPs to ensure safe handling of the gems and jewels treasured in the Ratna Bhandar, which would be kept in lock & key in a strongroom till the inventory and repair works of the Ratna Bhandar gets completed.
Official sources said, the Law Department with the supervision of the Law Minister Prithwiraj Harichandan, is working out on the set of SOPs . The SOPs may underline temporary strongroom arrangements to treasure gems & jewels, proper lighting systems inside the Ratna Bhandar, security arrangements, mobilization of essential manpower, requisition of snake helpline and traditional rituals to be performed before entering into the ancient treasury.
The SOPs might be submitted to the concerned officials of the SJTA , Ratna Bhandar Inventory Committee and Puri administration by this evening, said Puri district Collector Sidhharth Shankar Swain.
