Bhubaneswar: The state government is yet to take any decision to open the Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath temple at Odisha’s Puri town.

This was revealed by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan today.

The Law Minister made a clarification after an official of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) revealed that the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the 12th century shrine would be opened on July 8.

“The state government has not taken any decision to open the Ratna Bhandar. Chhatisha Niyog, the apex decision making body of Jagannath temple servitors, is yet to take a call in this regard. An official of the ASI has wrongly stated that the temple treasury would be opened on July 8. Stern action will be taken against the official,” said the Law Minister.

Earlier, DB Garnayak, Superintendent of ASI, Puri circle, informed that Jagannath temple Ratna Bhandar would be opened in the presence of the core committee and technical committee on July 8.

According to Garnayak, the temple treasury would be opened for inspection of its structural status.

There were reports that several cracks have been developed on the walls of the temple treasury over the years.

The Law Department, meanwhile, revealed that it has not received any proposal for opening the Ratna Bhandar from the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee.

“No proposal from the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee regarding opening of Ratna Bhandar has been received by the state government today. If any such proposal is received by the government in the future, necessary action will be taken,” said the Law Department in a statement.