Following a letter to CM Naveen Patnaik by Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik for an audit of Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of the Jagannath Temple, a section of servitors and Muktimandap priests have demanded an inventory of it.

They have said that despite a provision in temple law to conduct inventory of Ratna Bhandar once in every three years, the State Government has remained silent.

The last inventory of repository of gold, diamonds and jewels had been made in 1984 and thereafter no check-up of ornaments has been made as on today.

In the temple management committee meeting held after Fani cyclone, the members representing from servitors’ community had sought thorough check-up of ornaments and jewelleries of deities which remain inside inner chambers of Ratna Bhandar. The members had urged for upping the safety of the treasure trove after they found water leakage into the Garva Gruha (sanctum sanctorum) of shrine in the Fani cyclone.

“We five members from our community had already demanded an inventory of Ratna Bhandar. It was also unanimously agreed upon following a law already in place. But I am confused why the Law Department is silent over inventory of Ratna Bhandar,” said Ramachandra Dasmohapatra, a member of the temple managing committee.

He said an inventory is necessary in order ascertain the position of the jewelleries and to wipe out a doubt across the State over their safety after the key went missing.

Notably, the Raghubir Das Commission constituted to probe the missing keys of Ratna Bhandar has already submitted a report almost six month ago. However, the report has yet not been made public which has triggered controversy over safety of the Ratna Bhandar.