Public hearing held on Shreemandir reforms

A three-member team led by former Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Suresh Chandra Mohapatra on Friday conducted a public hearing on the Supreme Court’s recommendations on the temple’s reforms here amid protests by servitors.

Police IG Soumyendra Priyadarshi and Temple Managing Committee Member Mahimohan Tripathy were the other two members of the team.

“We will consider the opinions invited from general masses and servitors on different reform measures. A report will be submitted to the Supreme Court by the end of this month,” said Mohapatra.

However, some servitors sat on a dharna protesting the public hearing being held in the SJTA office. They alleged that the hearing was conducted in a wrong way.

“We left the hall opposing a manner of hearing. Since it is public hearing, all should have been allowed to remain present to know viewsof each others. But one-to-one talk was held. It is not at all a public hearing rather a big farce by the Government. It is only intended to cover faults of the Government,” said Somanath Khuntia, a young sevayat. He termed the public hearing a conspiracy against the servitors.

To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, the administration had deployed police officials at the spot. SJTA sources said as many as 80 people met the committee and presented their suggestions by 6 pm.