‘Chhatisa Nijog’ discussion boycotted by Puri Srimandir servitors

Puri: The servitors of Puri Jagnnath Temple have boycott the ‘Chhatisa Nijog’ meeting summoned by the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration here today.

According to sources, this meeting was convened to deliberate on the issue of the number of servitors required to perform the daily rituals in the temple. The priests however, did not turn up at the meeting irked at the proposed reduction in the number.

The servitors have alleged that the SJTA has already approached the Supreme Court with a report suggesting the new enumeration of priests needed in the temple without consulting the former.

Chief Administrator of SJTA, however, clarified that apart from the B D Sharma affidavit, no other affidavit has been submitted to the SC in this regard.

He also went on to state that SJTA has sought permission from the SC to give the responsibility of the servitor count enlisting as a part of Srimandir Reforms, to district judge and district administration.