The govt constitutes managing committee for Srimandir in every three years to take crucial decisions on shrine issues
Puri: Some Srimandir servitors, intellectuals and pontiffs of mutts here have started lobbying for their membership in the new temple managing committee even as the tenure of the old panel ended July 22.
The state government constitutes a managing committee for Srimandir in every three years to take crucial decisions on shrine matters.
As per norms, the Gajapati is the permanent chairman of the 18-member Srimandir managing committee and the government deputes an additional chief secretary-rank officer as the executive chairman of the temple panel.
This apart, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief, state endowment commissioner, Law department additional secretary, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) superintendent, district collector and superintendent of police are the ex-officio members of the managing committee.
As 10 members are nominated to the panel, Daita, Pujapanda, Pushpalak, Pratihari and Suar and Mahasuar Niyogs have their representation in the managing committee with one member from each niyog.
The state government also nominates a scholar from Muktimandap, a pontiff and three intellectuals to the panel.
Sources said two senior Daita servitors are trying their best to get a berth in the temple panel. It is understood that these two Daita servitors were instrumental in timely conduct of rituals during this year’s Rath Yatra.
According to sources, an influential political leader has thrown his weight behind a Daita servitor. A few servitors have reportedly made several trips to Bhubaneswar and met some senior politicians to push for their cases, they added.
“At least four pundits from Muktimandap and a few intellectuals are in touch with some influential people in the government for the purpose,” said a source.
Urging the government to induct a group of shrewd people in the temple panel, Nebala Das mutt pontiff Ramcharan Das Maharaj said, “Since Srimandir is admired as one of the most prominent shrines in the world, people enriched with required knowledge and vision should be nominated to the temple managing committee.”
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