SJTA allows channels to live telecast Rath Jatra festival

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Tuesday said it will allow all television channels to live telecast the Rath Jatra festival in Puri, instead of its earlier plans for bidding of the broadcast rights.

"No television channel will be denied the right to broadcast the festival," SJTA chief administrator P K Mohapatra told reporters.

The channels, however, will be requested to share a part of the revenue they generate through the commercial adevertisements, Mohapatra said.

Asked if bidding for live telecast is now cancelled, he said: "No. We have determined the market price through the bidding process. We will talk to the channels and request them to pay a part to the temple, as they are generating revenue through telecast of the festival."