Bhubaneswar: In a bid to streamline temple administration and improve service delivery, the Odisha government on Tuesday launched a comprehensive training program for officers of the Endowments Department.
The program, inaugurated by Law, Works, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan at the Odisha Secretariat Training Institute (OSTI) campus in Unit-2, Bhubaneswar, aims to equip officers with the knowledge and skills needed to manage temple services, maintain temple properties, and handle accounts efficiently.
Speaking at the event, Minister Harichandan said, “Training programs provide employees with a deeper understanding of their duties, enabling them to perform tasks more effectively. Competent officers at the grassroots level can resolve many issues in temple administration, ensuring transparency and efficiency.”
He encouraged participants to apply the insights gained during the program in their daily work to strengthen temple administration across the state.
The program also focuses on enhancing digital initiatives, including the proposed setup of an online complaint box for prompt resolution of public grievances. In addition, the department has started making detailed information about all ancient temples under its purview available on its official website, providing researchers, tourists, and the general public an opportunity to learn more about these historic sites.
Retired Justice A. Suryanarayan Naidu, who attended the program, advised officers to thoroughly familiarise themselves with laws and operational procedures related to endowments and implement them effectively in their work. Principal Secretary of the Law Department, Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samal, urged officers to carry out government duties with patience, dedication, and a spirit of innovation.
During the program, Commissioner of Endowments Lalatendu Jena delivered the welcome address, while Deputy Commissioner Dillip Kumar Satpathy proposed the vote of thanks. The event was also attended by Additional Secretary of the Law Department Siba Prasad Mohapatra, OSTI Director Manoj Kumar Sarangi, and other senior departmental officials.
With initiatives like this, the Odisha government aims to ensure that temple administration remains transparent, accountable, and accessible to devotees, researchers, and tourists alike.
