: The Odisha government on Monday appointed Soumendra Priyadarshi, Inspector General (operation) as Officer on Special Duty for smooth conduct of the Nabakalebara (re-embodiment) festival at Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Improved coordination
Mr. Priyadarshi’s primary responsibility is to coordinate with different departments on administrative and security preparedness for Nabakalebara festival.
The appointment of a senior IPS officer as OSD has come at time when the Naveen Patnaik government is struggling to handle widespread public criticism following a goof up in performing secret rituals concerning idol replacement in the temple.
“Nabakalebara is the most important religious event in Odisha. Till the Ratha Yatra, line departments execute different development projects. But once the festivals get underway, the police administration takes over the affairs. The police personnel are the first responders in mega religious congregations like Nabakalebara,” Mr. Priyadarshi told The Hindu .
The senior IPS has been asked to operate from Puri till the Nabakalebara Festival is concluded.
Mr. Priyadarshi has rich experience in managing car festivals in the last one decade. He was superintendent of police of Puri for five years. Prior to that he was additional SP of Puri.
Meanwhile, senior IAS officer and Energy Secretary, Suresh Mohapatra, who is Chief Administrator of Shri Jagannath Temple administration, has been asked not to step out of Puri till the end of the festival. The affairs of the energy department will be looked after by another senior IAS officer.
As the festival is nearing, Health and Family Welfare department on Monday said 280 doctors would be deployed during the festival period.
Shri Jagannath Temple Administration on Monday also asked the State Crime Branch to conduct a probe in connection with the circulation of alleged photographs of secret rituals in social media.
