Bhubaneswar, July 9: Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan Tuesday asserted that required repair work in the inner Ratna Bhandar will be completed before the return of sibling deities- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra- to the Ratnasimhasan(Sanctum Sanctorum).

The deities are currently on their annual vacation to their birthplace, Shree Gundicha Temple and will return to Shreemandir on July 19.

"We will certainly complete repair work before the deities return to Ratnasimhasan after Rath Yatra," said the Minister.
The Minister said the date for the inventorisation of ornaments and other valuables of Ratna Bhandar is expected to be fixed today by the 16-member committee headed by Justice Bishwanath Rath.

"Counting and weighing of valuables will begin on the very day decided by the committee," said Harichandan.

He said the government would examine the committee's standard operating procedure (SoP) and take appropriate steps.

"We have to see that rituals are never affected during the opening of the Ratna Bhandar. The data of Ratna Bhandar will be digitally documented. If the lock don't open with the available keys, that will be broken in the presence of the magistrate," said the Minister.

He said servitors, who, as per tradition, are connected to Ratna Bhandar, will be invited and taken to the treasure house.
The Minister said Garva Griha and Ratna Bhandar will be repaired every year during Rath Yatra henceforth. The ASI will set modalities.

The Ratna Bhandar committee headed by Justice Bishwantah Rath is set to meet today. It is likely to decide a date for the opening of the Ratna Bhandar.

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