Servitors to face expulsion for delay in rituals

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Puri: Taking a tough stand against indiscipline in Srimandir, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Tuesday decided to expel servitors who would delay the rituals of the deities thrice at the 12th century shrine.
Similarly, a servitor would face expulsion if he causes delay in any ritual knowingly for once. A proposal in this regard was approved by the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee here Tuesday. “Our priority is to ensure timely performance of rituals at Srimandir. The temple managing panel has given its approval to a proposal to expel servitors for delay in the performance of rituals,” said SJTA chief administrator PK Mohapatra. Earlier, the temple administration had decided to withhold a quarter of the daily remuneration of a servitor for 15-minute delay in the performance of rituals at Srimandir. It would withhold half of the daily remuneration of a servitor in case of a 30-minute delay in rituals. Similarly, a servitor would lose his entire remuneration for a day if the delay extends to an hour or above in the performance of rituals.
According to Mohapatra, the temple managing committee has also supported stern action against the servitors who had caused indiscipline at the shrine December 28, last year. “We have identified 36 servitors and other people for the December 28 indiscipline by examining CCTV footage. We have sought replies from 18 servitors in connection with the incident. All of them would face action as per the temple Act,” Mohapatra said.
According to the SJTA chief, FMCG major ITC had sought the permission of Srimandir authorities to use the name of the shrine to market its incense sticks. The company had proposed to provide a rupee to Srimandir with the sale of each incense stick packet. “The SJTA would sign an agreement with the company to ensure quality of the incense sticks,” Mohapatra said.
It was learnt that the managing panel has given its approval to a proposal for arranging sale of commemorative coins on Nabakalebara festival of 2015.