NEW DELHI: In light of the ongoing controversy regarding the alleged misappropriation of donations for the Ram Temple, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has announced the recruitment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the temple.
The selected individual will oversee the temple’s administrative affairs and manage its daily operations. According to the Trust’s official notification, applications must be received by 4 PM on July 18. This recruitment comes after the eligibility criteria were finalized by a selection committee. As per reports, candidates must possess a graduate degree and have a minimum of 20 years of experience in administration or finance.
Priority will be given to candidates with prior experience in temple management, and applicants must also be practitioners of the Hindu faith.
This announcement follows recent legal developments where the Supreme Court issued notices to the Central Government, the Uttar Pradesh Government, and the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust regarding petitions that demand an independent and court-monitored investigation into the allegations of misappropriation of Ram Temple funds. The apex court has also instructed the UP government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit a status report along with details of its composition.
Expected Responsibilities and Term Details
The chosen CEO will initially serve a three-year term, with the requirement to reside in Ayodhya for the duration of their appointment. Additionally, the committee has decided to recruit a Secretary to aid in the CEO’s onboarding process. Sources cited by ANI indicate that the selection process should conclude within a month following interviews with shortlisted candidates.
Context of the Controversy
This latest development is particularly significant considering the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the alleged embezzlement of donations within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is being investigated by the SIT.
“The CEO will function as the administrative head of the temple’s management while remaining accountable to the Trust,” said Nripendra Misra, the chairman of the Ram Mandir construction committee. He elaborated, “As the name suggests, the Chief Executive Officer will be the head of management. They will work under the Trust and oversee the management tasks. It depends on the Trust as to what kind of delegation of power they give to the CEO. Based on that delegation, the CEO will manage their staff.”
Misra further stated, “Whatever the Trust decides is their matter, but believe me, any changes in sub-committees will follow the bylaws.”
