Odisha's new BJP government to open all 4 gates of Puri Jagannath temple on Thursday morning

NEW DELHI: In its first cabinet meeting, Odisha's newly elected BJP government approved a proposal to re-open all four gates of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri and establish a corpus fund for the immediate needs of the 12th-century shrine.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the decision after chairing the meeting with his ministers at the state secretariat, Lok Seva Bhawan."The state government decided to re-open all four gates of the Puri Jagannath temple early tomorrow morning in the presence of all ministers. Devotees will have access to the temple through all four gates," Majhi said.
Opening all the temple gates was a key promise in the BJP's election manifesto. The previous BJD administration had kept the four gates closed since the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing entry through only one gate, which caused inconvenience to devotees.
To ensure the conservation and preservation of the temple, the Cabinet also decided to create a Rs 500 crore corpus fund to address issues related to the shrine.
Majhi further stated that all ministers would travel to Puri on Wednesday night to be present when the gates are reopened on Thursday morning.
Additionally, the state government will take steps to raise the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy to Rs 3100 per quintal. A committee will be formed soon to implement this proposal, and a special policy, "Samruddha Krushak Niti Yojana," will be developed to address farmers' issues, including MSP.
Departments have been directed to prepare guidelines and a roadmap for this policy, which will be finalized within the government's first 100 days.
Majhi also criticized the previous BJD regime's efforts in women empowerment and child welfare, declaring the launch of the Subhdra Yojana within 100 days. Under this scheme, women will receive a Rs 50,000 cash voucher each. Departments are tasked with preparing the necessary guidelines and roadmaps for its implementation.
(With inputs from agencies)