Ram Temple Trust Defers CEO Appointment After Receiving Over 5,200 Applications
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has postponed the selection of its first chief executive officer (CEO) by one month, citing an unexpectedly large number of applications. The trust received more than 5,200 applications for the post, officials said.
The decision was taken during a board of trustees meeting on Wednesday. In the interim, the trust will appoint a secretary to handle growing administrative needs. This was the trust's second meeting following allegations of theft of donations at the temple. During its July 6 meeting, the trust accepted the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra.
“The committee formed to select the CEO demanded additional time of one month in view of the huge number of applicants for the post. The trust has accepted the demand due to the seriousness of the matter and circumstances. It has approved the appointment of a secretary until the selection of the CEO,” said an official statement issued by interim general secretary Kishna Mohan.
Additionally, the trust announced the reconstitution of a panel tasked with overseeing religious affairs. The panel comprises nine seers — five from Ayodhya and four from other regions — who will supervise the temple's religious activities.
No decision was taken on filling three vacant trustee posts. After the meeting, Mr. Mohan and treasurer Govind Dev Giri briefed the media, stating that members reviewed arrangements for the expected increase in devotees during the ongoing Shravan month, progress on filling vacant trustee posts, and several administrative and financial issues.
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13 to look into allegations of donation theft. After the SIT submitted its preliminary report on June 23, an FIR was registered on June 25, and eight accused were arrested.
Officials said the final SIT report has not been received, so the matter was not discussed in the meeting. The finance committee of the trust was asked to reconsider the standard operating procedure with the State Bank of India in view of safety loopholes that emerged during the theft probe. The trust stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation and expressed hope that all responsible would be brought to justice.
