Puri, July 4: The Ratna Bhandar (Treasure House) of Shreemandir, Puri is unlikely to be opened on July 8 given the scheduled continuation of Rath Yatra on the day.  

Responding to a media query, Justice Arijit Pasayat, who is heading a committee to supervise the inventory of ornaments and valuables in Ratna Bhandar, said the treasure house may not open on July 8 as Rath Yatra would continue that day.   

"It depends on the government's decision when to open the Ratna Bhandar. Our work (making an inventory of ornaments, pearls, and other valuables) will start on the day to be decided by the government for opening the Ratna Bhandar," said Justice Pasayat. 

The former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said an important meeting would be convened tomorrow to decide the modalities of counting ornaments and matching ( of inventory figures of present and last times). He, however, said inventory work would only begin after the Ratna Bhandar is open on the government's decision. 

It may be noted that Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan yesterday stated that the Ratna Bhandar would surely open as promised (by the ruling BJP) in the election manifesto. He said a notification would be issued and people informed before the opening of the Ratna Bhandar. 

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