Bhubaneswar, July 5: The State government announced today the formation of a 16-member committee that will meet on July 6 to discuss the opening of the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath temple.

At a press conference, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan revealed that the long-awaited opening of the Ratna Bhandar is imminent. The opening will proceed with the approval of the Chief Minister and in compliance with the Orissa High Court's order.

"Ratna Bhandar will be opened after 45 years. A competent 16-member committee, headed by Justice Biswanath Dash, a retired judge of the Orissa High Court, will oversee the process. The committee will convene on July 6 to decide on the modalities for opening the Ratna Bhandar," the minister said.

The committee's decisions will guide the government's actions regarding the opening. The meeting will take place at the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) office and will be chaired by Justice Biswanath Dash.

Additionally, the government has dissolved the committee previously led by Justice Arijit Pasayat.

The members of the new 16-member committee are:

Justice Biswanath Dash (Chairman)

Dr. C.B.K. Mohanty (Member)

CA Rajib Sahu (Member)

Jagdish Mohanty, Retd. IAS (Member)

Prakash Mishra, Retd. IPS (Member)

Swami Pragyananda Ji (Member)

Harihar Hota (Member)

Padmashree Sudarsan Pattanaik (Member)

Representative of Gajapati Maharaj (Member)

Representative of A.S.I (Member)

Madhu Sudan Singhari (Member)

Janardan Pattajoshi Mohapatra (Member)

Jagannath Das Mohapatra (Member)

Soumendra Muduli (Member)

Collector, Puri (Member)

Chief Administrator, SJTA (Member Convenor)

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