Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to engage 20 ex-servicemen through an outsourcing agency for deployment at the 12th century shrine’s Ananda Bazar from September 1.
These ex-servicemen will ensure discipline and order at the Ananda Bazar (the vending place for Mahaprasad-the bhog offered to Lord Jagannath & His siblings).
“Yesterday in a meeting chaired by the Collector which was mainly attended by office bearers of Suar-Mahasuar Nijog and three administrators of the temple administration it was decided to engage 20 highly skilled ex-servicemen for maintaining discipline at the Ananda Bazar for the period it remains open 24×7. They will be given sufficient training and will be appraised about their job. They will ensure that only authorised Supakars sell Mahaprasad. Nothing other than food prepared in the temple can be sold. These ex-service men will be engaged through out sourcing agency PSIL,” informed Ajay Jena, Development Administrator, SJTA speaking to reporters.
In the meeting it was also decided that none will be allowed to sell stale Abadha, Jena said.
He added that the Suar-Mahasuar Nijog office bearers have been asked to submit a list of persons authorised to sell Mahaprasad of different types as per the Record of Rights (RoR).
As per the RoR of Shree Jagannath Temple, only Suar-Mahasuar servitors are allowed to sell Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar. However, involvement of outsiders and non-supakars causes indiscipline in smooth sale of Mahaprasad inside the temple. These brokers often exploit the devotees by overcharging. They purchase Mahaprasad from Suar Mahasuar servitors and sell it devotees at different points inside temple at high rates which is illegal.
