CM visits Puri to review Rath Yatra arrangements
Ahead of the Chief Minister's visit, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan held a marathon discussion with the senior servitors and listened to their grievances, like restrictions on them to climb the chariots, housing issues and children's education.
The Jagannath temple in Puri functions under the Law department of the State government.
'We had a detailed discussion with the Law minister on different issues. The servitors have apprised him of being hurt for not getting permission to climb chariots. The administration allows only on-duty servitors to the chariots. We have demanded that all should be allowed to climb the chariot to have 'darshan' of the deities,' leader of Khuntia servitors Hajari K C Khuntia told reporters.
Noting that the servitors have assured the Law minister that they will complete all rituals according to tradition, Khuntia said they are scheduled to meet the Chief Minister.
Accompanied by the Law Minister, Majhi is also scheduled to hold a meeting with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and others to ensure smooth conduct of upcoming events, according to an official. The Chief Minister aims to make the remaining part of the festival incident-free so that lakhs of devotees return home with a 'feel good experience'.
Following the stampede incident, the State government has transferred both the District Collector and the SP from Puri and suspended two senior police officers on charges of dereliction of duty. The government also appointed other experienced officers to handle the Rath Yatra affairs.
Meanwhile, Development Commissioner Anu Garg began the administrative inquiry into the stampede on Monday. She is mandated to submit the inquiry report within 30 days.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Puri stampede: Odisha Government seeks information from public
The Odisha Government on Thursday (July 3, 2025) requested the public to share any information related to the Puri stampede that left three people dead and 50 others injured. The stampede took place near the Shree Gundicha Temple during a Rath Yatra event on June 29, 2025. The State Government through a public notice urged the people to share information, video footage or any other materials related to the stampede which took place early on Sunday (June 29, 2025) for a proper and transparent inquiry into the incident. Day after stampede, thousands make beeline to have glimpse of sibling deities in Puri The public notice issued by the Planning and Convergence Department, also mentioned that any individual or organisation can share their information regarding how such an incident took place. "The members of the public are urged to share information, video footage or any other material through the e-mail by July 20," an official said. This apart, the notice said the interested persons can meet and share information with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar after 3 p.m. on July 9 and at the Special Circuit House in Puri on July 10 after 3 p.m. The State Government has also provided two landline telephone numbers (0674-2536882/2391970) of Bhubaneswar to facilitate the people to pass on their information to the team engaged in the inquiry of the stampede tragedy. The State Government hours after the tragedy had ordered an administrative inquiry into the stampede with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg as its chief. Mr. Garg has already undertaken a preliminary investigation by visiting the place of the accident and also holding talks with different stakeholders including police. She is mandated to submit a report to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi within 30 days. Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday formed a four-member OAS officers team to assist Mr. Garg to carry forward the inquiry and meet the one-month deadline. After preliminary inquiry, Mr. Garg said she would find out what led to the stampede situation and identify the people responsible for the incident. "I would also see what more measures could be taken to avoid such incidents in future," the Development Commissioner said. She would also examine all CCTV footage, go through the deployment orders and whether the SOPs were being followed. After the stampede, the State Government immediately transferred the Puri District Collector and the SP. Two senior police officers have also been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty. Senior IAS officer Aravind Agarwal has been assigned the charge to supervise the Rath Yatra affairs in Puri. Senior IPS officer Soumendra Priyadarshi has also been given the overall charge of streamlining police arrangements for the Rath Yatra.
Deccan Herald
2 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Odisha govt seeks information from public on Puri stampede
The stampede took place near the Shree Gundicha Temple during a Rath Yatra event on June 29.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Odisha seeks public info on Puri stampede that killed 3 during Rath Yatra
The Odisha government on Thursday sought information from public regarding the stampede that took place near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri during a ceremony related to ongoing Rath Yatra festivities in which three persons were killed and 50 others injured. The state government through a public notice urged the people to share information, video footage or any other materials related to the stampede which took place early on Sunday for a proper and transparent inquiry into the incident. The public notice issued by the Planning and Convergence department, also mentioned that any individual or organisation can share their information regarding how such an incident took place. "The members of the public are urged to share information, video footage or any other material through the e-mail by July 20," an official said. This apart, the notice said that the interested persons can meet and share information with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar after 3 pm on July 9 and at the Special Circuit House in Puri on July 10 after 3 pm. The state government has also provided two landline telephone numbers (0674-2536882/2391970) of Bhubaneswar to facilitate the people to pass on their information to the team engaged in the inquiry of the stampede tragedy. The state government hours after the tragedy had ordered an administrative inquiry into the stampede with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg as its chief. Garg has already undertaken a preliminary investigation by visiting the place of the accident and also holding talks with different stakeholders including police. She is mandated to submit a report to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi within 30 days. Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday formed a four-member OAS officers team to assist Garg to carry forward the inquiry and meet the one-month deadline. After preliminary inquiry, Garg said that she would find out what led to the stampede situation and identify the people responsible for the incident. "I would also see what more measures could be taken to avoid such incidents in future," the development commissioner said. She would also examine all CCTV footage, go through the deployment orders and whether the SOPs were being followed. After the stampede, the state government immediately transferred the Puri District Collector and the SP. Two senior police officers have also been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty. Senior IAS officer Aravind Agarwal has been assigned the charge to supervise the Rath Yatra affairs in Puri. Senior IPS officer Soumendra Priyadarshi has also been given the overall charge of streamlining police arrangements for the Rath Yatra.
