Puri: The long wait for the opening of Ratna Bhandar at the Jagannath Temple in Puri ended, as the monitoring committee proposed the Srimandir Managing Committee and State government to open the treasury on July 14.

The inner part of Ratna Bhandar will be opened on July 14. The lock will be opened at any cost. We have drawn all types of SOPs. With the consensus of all, we will unlock Ratna Bhandar if the government approves our proposal and recommendations," informed Justice Biswanath Rath after chairing the Ratna Bhandar monitoring committee meeting here today.

"An SOP has been sent to the managing committee for the repair and counting of valuables stored inside Ratna Bhandar at the Jagannath Temple. We hope to receive approval from the government soon," the panel's chairman stated.

Speaking over procedures of inventory of valuable items, he said, "Counting is a long process. As the gems stored inside the Ratna Bhandar are believed to be very ancient, experts are needed to identify the precious items. We have mentioned everything in detail in the SOP."

Replying to media queries, Ratna Bhandar monitoring committee member Rajeev Sahu said, "As per direction of the Honourable High Court, the recommendations have been made in the SOP. The government will take a final call on procedures of opening Ratna Bhandar and inventory of valuables. We will adopt latest technology for Ratna Bhandar inventory."

Earlier in the day, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had informed that the Ratna Bhandar will be opened on the date that will be finalised by the Ratna Bhandar monitoring committee.