While a complete inventory of jewellery in the Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar was supposed to be taken up in every three years, why the State Governments shied away for years together in doing so has turned out to be a million dollars question.
With missing of keys of the Ratna Bhandar, questions are raised as to why for years together, the inventory was not being taken up by the authorities in the State Government in general and particularly by the officials of Shree Mandir administration.
A complete inventory of the jewellery of the Ratna Bhandar was taken up way back in 1978 during regime of Nilamani Routray as Chief Minister. It was conducted between May and July.
After 1978, no other State Government has taken up complete inventory of jewellery of Bhitar Bhandar (inner treasury) though it has been stipulated in the Shree Jagannath Temple rules to go for complete inventory in every three years.
So after 40 years, the issue is being raked up blaming the State Government over keeping people in dark over jewellery in the Shree Mandir.
Now the question raised is as to why the consecutive State Governments of Congress, Janata Dal and BJD Government have shied away from a complete inventory of the jewellery of the Ratna Bhandar all these yearsIJ
While complete inventory of jewellery of Ratna Bhandar is needed besides proper valuation of the gold, diamond, silver ornaments, now people are raising doubts on transparency of the affairs related to the lords’ treasury.
Total inventory and judicious valuation of the precious jewellery in the Ratna Bhandar will erase suspicion from the minds of the people and it is needed to be done in a transparent manner. This is because people are donating precious ornaments to the Trinity and for years together inventory of these materials are not being done, it is demanded.
The first verification of the Ratna Bhandar was taken up in 1962 and it continued till 1964 and later, the then Administrator had presented the report to the Temple Committee.
later, a fresh verification was ordered and it was taken up in 1967. However, no report was presented to the Committee, sources said.
However, to bring improvement in the management of the 12th Century shrine, the then Chief Minister Nilamani Routray had appointed a High level Committee in 1978 headed by the then Governor Bhagbat Dayal Sharma.
And the Sharma Committee asked for complete inventory of Ratna Bhandar, which was taken up with all sincerity.