Puri: The Puri district administration has announced plans to auction the remaining ‘Arpan’ rice, which has become stale and unfit for use in ‘Mahaprasad’. The decision was made after extensive discussions with various departmental authorities.

A committee, headed by the sub-collector, has been formed to manage the tender process for the disposal of the rice. The rice will be sold to individuals or millers through a transparent tender process. The proceeds from the auction will be deposited with the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration.

The ‘Arpan’ rice, along with betelnut and dakshina, was collected from devotees across the state before the inauguration of the Srimandir Heritage Corridor Project. Initially intended for preparing ‘Mahaprasad’ for free distribution among devotees, the rice was handed over to the Suar and Mahasuar Nijog. However, the Nijog later declared that the remaining rice was unsuitable for ‘Mahaprasad’.

Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain emphasized the importance of processing the rice again to prepare ‘Kanika’, which can then be distributed to devotees. The district administration has also refuted allegations of dumping the rice in rivers, ensuring that all measures are being taken to handle the rice responsibly.