Bhubaneswar: The Justice Bimal Prasad Das Commission of Inquiry that was constituted to recommend reforms in the functioning of Jagannath temple in Puri has suggested to the state government to impose restrictions on the visit of VIPs into the Garvagruha (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple.
The Commission made this recommendation to the government in its first interim report that has now been accessed by Orissa POST, Monday.
“Darshan of the deities in the temple by the devotees, including the VIPs, shall be restricted only upto Bhittar Katha. None, except Sevaks having actual Seba in the Garvagruha on any particular day, should be allowed into the sanctum sanctorum.
“Entry into the sanctum sanctorum during Paramanik Darshan and Sahana Mela Darshan should be stopped and violators should be heavily fined,” the Commission has noted in its interim report.
The panel has also recommended the introduction of bio-metric system for staff Sevaks and police personnel performing duties inside the temple and proper security arrangements in Gundicha temple.
For crowd control, the panel has suggested to the government for permanent deployment of two companies of forces in the holy town.
“A Quick Action Team (QAT) to counter possible terrorist attacks must be permanently deployed in Puri, especially for Jagannath temple, and immediate steps be taken to station Special Tactical Unit of state police at Puri,” the report said. The Commission further recommended the deployment of a permanent bomb detection and disposal squad with all modern gadgets and installation of CCTV cameras across the town.
The panel has asked the collector to take immediate steps for making the installation of CCTV cameras mandatory for the owners of hotels and lodging houses located on the road from Digabarini to Balia Panda so that the entire sea-beach road can be covered.
“One way entry system through the Singhadwar for the devotees should be followed round the year and the three gates should be used as exit gates,” the Commission said.
The Justice Das Commission also suggested the appointment of a health officer and sanitary officer to ensure health and sanitation inside the temple. Sources said that the state government has begun instructing agencies concerned to implement the recommendations of the Commission. The state government had set up the Commission to study six aspects and make recommendations to bring reforms in the functioning of Jagannath temple.
However, the one-member judicial commission submitted its first interim report only on one aspect based on administrative restructuring and strengthening of security system of the temple.
July 23 last year, the government had constituted the Commission of Inquiry following an attack on the Puri Collector by servitors and delay in rituals during Niladri Bije.
Biswa Bhusan Mohapatra, OP
