Argus News - Breaking News: Odisha to Resume Ratna Bhandar Inventory in April

Bhubaneswar, Mar 28: Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced that the second phase of the Ratna Bhandar inventory will take place on April 8, 9, and 10.

He assured that during this process, darshan of Lord Jagannath and daily rituals at the temple will not be disrupted. “Preparations are underway to ensure smooth conduct, followed by the counting of the inner Ratna Bhandar,” said the Law Minister, expressing confidence that all tasks will be completed on schedule.

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Meanwhile, the state government has intensified preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra, with meetings being held six months in advance under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. “Special emphasis is being placed on restricting vehicle entry onto the Grand Road and widening adjoining roads to ease congestion during the festival,” revealed Harichandan.

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In parallel, the government is focusing on strengthening governance through technology. Harichandan highlighted that all government employees will now be required to study AI and cybersecurity courses.

“From a technological perspective, connecting with AI has become essential for all of us. Cybersecurity has emerged as a major threat, and efforts are being made to strengthen defences — from crime branch investigations to advanced cyber protection,” stated the Law Minister.

“With the use of AI, tasks that once required 30 days can now be completed in just 10 minutes. Various applications are being utilized, ranging from beneficiary selection to database management. By integrating AI into these processes, efficiency and speed are being enhanced, helping us build a stronger governance model,” he added.

“In the coming days, these advancements are expected to deliver significant benefits,” noted an optimistic Harichandan.

Government employees will study AI and cybersecurity courses. Completing these courses will improve the state’s ranking. Each employee must complete at least one course per month. To enhance the state’s ranking, performance must be strengthened in three key areas: increasing departmental coverage of active users, ensuring employees complete more than one course, and rewarding those who finish multiple courses with higher rankings.

According to government data, as of March 22, 2026, 388,854 employees have been appointed, and 1,880,332 employees have registered. Among them, 1,245,956 have already completed AI-related courses.

With modern technological initiatives, Odisha aims to set a benchmark in digital governance. The focus on AI-driven training reflects the state’s commitment to embracing innovation for the future.