Odisha Govt To Probe Why Duplicate Keys Failed To Open Puri Srimandir's Ratna Bhandar Locks

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Odisha Govt To Probe Why Duplicate Keys Failed To Open Puri Srimandir's Ratna...

by Hemanta Pande

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The Odisha government has said it will conduct an inquiry into why the duplicate keys of the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure trove, of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, failed to open the locks on July 14.

Bhubaneswar, July 16: The Odisha government has said it will conduct an inquiry into why the duplicate keys of the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure trove, of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, failed to open the locks on July 14.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Monday said, "A lie was spread over the availability of duplicate keys of the Ratna Bhandar during the previous BJD government. This matter will definitely be investigated."

"Who had said about the duplicate keys of the Ratna Bhandar and under whose instruction will also be examined," he added.

The Minister also expressed hope that no one had touched Lord Jagannath's ornaments, as doing so would have consequences.

The Ratna Bhandar of the Srimandir was reopened on Sunday after 46 years for an inventory of valuables and the repair of its structure.

Newly appointed Shree Jagannath Temple Administrator (SJTA) chief, Arabinda Padhee said that members of a special committee tried to open three locks on the doors of the inner chamber of the treasury using two 'duplicate' keys available with the Puri district administration but none of the locks could be opened.

As the three locks could not be opened using the duplicate keys on Sunday, the special committee members followed the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the State government and broke the three locks in the presence of a magistrate to enter the inner chamber, Padhee said.

On April 4, 2018, the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government attempted to reopen the Ratna Bhandar for a physical examination, but the effort was unsuccessful due to the unavailability of the keys. After some days, the government said duplicate keys were found.

Later in June 2018, a commission was formed to probe the circumstances under which the keys of the Ratna Bhandar went missing. The panel submitted its report to the state government in November of that year, but it was not made public.

The reopening of the Ratna Bhandar was a major political issue during the recently held assembly elections. The BJP came to power in the polls dethroning the BJD which was ruling the state since 2000.

According to sources, the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar at the 12th-century Sri Jagannath Temple boasts a collection of the rarest jewelry, including diamonds, gold, and precious gems.

These treasures, donated over centuries by devotees and kings to Lord Jagannath, are preserved and cataloged, sources said.

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"Voted For Those Who Talk About 'Vishwa-Bandhutva": Ex-Odisha Guv Ganeshi Lal

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Sirsa, Oct 5: Former Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal cast his vote for the Haryana Assembly Elections on Saturday.

Ganeshi Lal said that he had voted for those who talk about 'Vishwa-Bandhutva', who talk about one earth, one family, and one future.

We have voted for those who talk about 'Vishwa-Bandhutva', who talk about one earth, one family, and one future," former Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal said.

Meanwhile, a voter turnout of 36.69 per cent was recorded across 90 assembly seats in Haryana till 1 PM.

As per the data shared by the ECI, Mewat recorded the highest poll percentage of 42.64 per cent, followed by Yamunanagar 42.08 per cent, Jind 41.93 per cent, Palwal 41.85 per cent till 1 PM.

In Ambala 39.47 per cent Bhiwani 38.27 per cent, 40 percent in Fatehabad , 38.34 per cent in Hisar, 39.74 per cent in Karnal, 36.19 per cent in Rohtak, 33.64 per cent in Sonipat till1 PM.The lowest voter turnout was witnessed in Panchkula with 25.89 per cent of people casting their vote till 1.00 PM.

Voting in Haryana started at 7 AM in the morning and will go till 6 pm. A total of 1,031 candidates are contesting in all 90 assembly constituencies, and 20,632 polling booths have been set up for voting.

Multiple political parties are in the fray in the 90-member assembly constituency. With BJP and Congress going head to head, Chautala brothers are also looking to leave their mark in the polls by forging pre-poll alliances with other small parties.

According to Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer, Pankaj Agarwal, 2,03,54,350 voters, including 1,07,75,957 males, 95,77,926 females, and 467 third-gender voters, will cast their votes in the Assembly Elections on October 5.
The results for the Haryana Assembly elections will be declared along with those of Jammu and Kashmir on October 8. (ANI)

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Habishyali Registration Begins Tomorrow; Kartika Brata From October 18

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Puri, Oct 5: Registration for Habishyalis (Women to observe a month-long Brata in the holy month of Kartika) will begin on October 6 and continue till October 11. The Odia month of Kartika will start on October 18.

On behalf of the State government, the Puri district administration has started the registration process. Physically and mentally healthy women will stay in four Habishyali camps. As many as 25,000 Habishyalis will be provided government support.

Interested Habishyalis have been advised to fill forms online at the edistrict.odisha.gov.in portal by October 11.
Following the submission of applications, district-wise Habishyali lists will be prepared. The chosen Habishyalis will be intimated about their selection. By October 17, Habishyalis will reach their designated camp.

All ritualistic will be provided to them. They will peacefully observe Kartika Brata. Darshan of the deities and Mahaprasad provision will be made.

Police Complaint Filed Against Actor Nagarjuna For Encroachment

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Hyderabad, Oct 5: An NGO has filed a police complaint against popular Tollywood actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, seeking criminal action against him for the alleged encroachment of a lake in Hyderabad.

Janam Kosam’ president, Kasireddy Bhaskara Reddy, lodged a complaint at Madhapur Police Station that the actor illegally constructed a convention centre, which was recently demolished by authorities.

Bhaskara Reddy said in his complaint that the land allegedly falls within the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zone of Thammidikunta Lake.

The complainant said that the actor has been generating significant illegal revenues from N-Convention built on the encroached land for several years and called for criminal action against him for violating Irrigation and Revenue Acts.

The NGO also demanded that the money required for the revival of the lake be recovered from the actor.

Bhaskara Reddy said the lake was spread over 29.24 acres and alleged that Nagarjuna built N-Convention on 3.30 acres of the lake. He claimed that this was stated in the report of the Irrigation Department official in 2021.

The complainant mentioned that the NGO had lodged a complaint on August 20, 2024, seeking action against the actor for encroachment.

N. Convention, owned by Nagarjuna, was demolished on August 24 by Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRAA), which claimed that it was built on the land of Thammidikunta Lake.

Nagarjuna, however, had denied allegations of encroachment. He stated that he was pained by the unlawful manner of demolition contrary to existing stay orders and Court cases.

The actor argued that the land on which the convention centre was built was a Patta land and claimed not even an inch of lake was encroached.

“No notice was issued prior to carrying out the demolition. As a law-abiding citizen, if the Court before which the matter is pending, had decided against me, I would have carried out the demolition myself,” he had stated.

--IANS

Odisha Govt To Probe Why Duplicate Keys Failed To Open Puri Srimandir's Ratna Bhandar Locks

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