Arabinda Padhee new chief of Shree Jagannath temple administration

By Akshya Rout

Bhubaneswar, July 12 : IAS Officer Arabinda Kumar Padhee has been appointed as the Chief Administrator of Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) by the Odisha government on Thursday.

The state government appointed Padhee as the chief administrator after removing VV Yadav from his post.

Informing about the new appointment, state’s law department issued a notification that read, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 19 of Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954 (Odisha Act, 11 of 1955), the State Government do hereby appoint Shri Arabinda Kumar Padhi, IAS, as Chief Administrator, STA, Puri in addition to his present duties for the time being and until further orders in place of Sri V.V. Yadav.”

Earlier in May 24, he was given additional charge as Chief Administrator as VV Yadav has gone on leave. He hold the additional charges till June 11.

He was previously the Chief Administrator of Srimandir from 2012 to 2015. During that time he held the post of Central Revenue Officer and held the additional charge of the Chief Administrator of the Srimandir.

With the taking charges as the Chief Administrator, there lies some challenges for Arabinda Padhee. He have to look into Bahuda Yatra, Sunabesha Aadharpana and Niladribije of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. He will also look into the Adapa Pahandi mishap and make sure this not repeat during the Bahuda Yatra and Niladribije of the holy trinity.

Arabinda Kumar Padhee will also take responsibility of implementing SOP for the opening of the Ratnabhandar on July 14th. He will look into coordinating with the State Law Department for the preparation and modification of SOPs in consultation with all members as Chairman of Ratnabhandar Monitoring Committee and Shrimandir Management Committee chaired by Justice Vishwanath Rath.