Is there a threat perception to the Jagannath temple?

Yes. The Centre has already briefed us. We have devised a long-term action plan for temple security, which is being regularly reviewed by the chief secretary. We will also install a surveillance system, funded by Nalco, at the Puri temple, Gundicha temple and a part of Grand Road to beef up security .

Despite reforms, rituals at the Jagannath temple are being delayed on a daily basis. Would you call this an administrative failure?

The temple administration is helpless. Jagannath temple runs as per the record of rights where administration has little control and sevayats (servitors) have ample power. Despite the amendment to the Temple Act, traditions and rituals have not changed. The delay is mainly due to a tradition wherein five sevayats need to be present at the same time to open the temple gate. If one gets late, the entire process is held up. We are also trying to streamline neeti and other rituals.

How do you plan to resolve the disputes between sevayats and devotees, which occasionally turn violent?

The outlook of the sevayats is narrow. They have not seen the world beyond the Puri temple. We cannot make the sevayats unhappy, we have to keep them in good humour. There have been some unfortunate incidents in the past, which have given the temple a bad name. However, the educated group of sevayats have started cooperating with us. Our target is to refurbish the temple's image.

What steps are you taking to ensure that Rath Yatra is conducted in a free and fair manner?

This Rath Yatra is going to be the fifth one for me. During my tenure as district collector, three Rath Yatras under three chief ministers belonging to different parties — J.B. Patnaik, Giridhar Gamang and Naveen Patnaik — have been conducted. This speaks about the administrative impartiality in conducting the car festival.

An elderly woman was killed in a stampede during last Rath Yatra. How are you planning to minimise the likelihood of stampedes in future?

Whatever happened last year was unfortunate. Although Rath Yatra is on July 3, we have started removing all encroachments on Grand Road. We should also have a multi-level car parking system for 1,100 cars before July.

lThe debate over the entry of non-Hindus into the temple has been going on for long. What is your take on this?

It is a highly debatable topic. Because of the sensitive nature of the issue, I should not comment on this. But personally, I feel the people who are practising Hinduism are more Hindu than us. Those who are opposing, if enlightened, would feel that these persons should also be allowed into the temple.

Emar Mutt is a part of Jagannath culture. Should not a part of the 522 silver bricks recovered there recently be donated to the temple?

If the Mutts were aware of the treasure trove, it would have been utilised long ago. Everybody donates things to Lord Jagannath, albeit through intermediaries, but it is not their property. The temple managing committee feels the silver bricks should be restored to Jagannath temple.

What are your views regarding acquisition of temple land by Vedanta University?

I don't want to drag myself into the Vedanta issue as it is sub-judice. I just want to make it clear that temple land has not been sold to Vedanta but the state government has acquired it under Land Acquisition Act. We have asked Vedanta for a good price. We are planning to sell the land in future, but it will be a long drawn-out process. We would sell them to farmers in occupation on a priority basis.

The Posco project area comes under your jurisdiction. What is your reaction to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF)’s clearance to the multi-billion dollar venture?

Posco is finally going to be a reality. Every hurdle has been cleared. I am better aware of the ground realities. There are just four tribal families comprising 22 members who reside outside the project area. Moreover, tribals are not native to that place; they had migrated as contract labourers.

You are the RDC of both of northern and central Orissa as well as chief administrator of Puri temple. Do you think you have been able to do justice to these positions?

My style of working is different. I am accessible to all 20 district collectors working under me. There have been certain shortcomings, but I am giving my 100 per cent. The revenue meetings have not been regularly held but of late and there has been no industrial unrest in my area.

Dynamic in spirit

Considered to be a dynamic and credible officer, Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra was responsible for the success of National Youth festival - 2010 held in Bhubaneswar. It was the first time that the state hosted the event roping in the Indian Air Force, which presented the spectacular 'Surya Kiran' air show.

Mohapatra did his graduation in Geology from Ravenshaw University, Cuttack and master's degree in Science Technology from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. He secured the third rank in the all-India merit list in civil service examinations in 1987 lHe joined the civil services in 1988 and was first posted in Berhampur as sub collector. He has served as the collector of Jagatsinghpur and Puri

He has served as additional district magistrate of Ganjam and collector of Jagatsinghpur and Puri

He studied MBA in Australia. Mohapatra has worked with central government from 2002 to 2007

At present, he is the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Central and Northern divisions as well as the chief administrator of the Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri

What would you have been had you not been an IAS officer?

I did not have any specific plans. As any other child, I wanted to excel in studies. I had never given a thought to civil services. But I had a change of mind during my college career. After completing my degree from Indian School of Mines, I had 15 to 16 job offers in hand but I turned them down. At that point of time, civil service examinations caught my fancy and in my first attempt, I came out with flying colours. I was lucky to get home cadre, Orissa, which had its own challenges. If not an IAS officer, I would have settled for a company job.