The trust managing the Ayodhya Ram Temple will consider amendments to its deed on December 2, the first such changes since it was constituted in February 2020, amid restructuring for security, logistics, crowd and fund management following controversy over irregularities in donation collections.
Because of other pressing issues on the agenda, shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Govind Dev Giri said the amendments could not be taken up at the September 2 meeting.
The trust was constituted in February 2020 after the Supreme Court awarded the entire 2.77-acre disputed land in Ayodhya for the temple construction. The donation theft controversy first surfaced on June 7 when Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan ‘Pawan’ Pandey alleged that donations worth ₹ 5 crore to ₹ 7.5 crore were siphoned off from temple offerings. On June 13, the state government set up the first Special Investigation Team (SIT). On July 6, the trust accepted the resignations of Rai and Anil Mishra.
It removed administrator Gopal Rao and announced a three-member panel to appoint a new CEO. The proposed changes are expected to incorporate the newly created chief executive officer (CEO)’s role and define the office holder’s powers, tenure and responsibilities. The amendments are likely to include provisions to strengthen transparency in accounting and administration as the temple moves from the construction phase towards management and operation. The focus has since been on the temple construction and associated facilities. The temple ecosystem is now expanding and includes visitor management, infrastructure, religious activities, security, finances, and day-to-day administration. He has not yet formally assumed charge.
Giri said the trust would request him to take charge at the earliest. Air Marshal (retired) Mishra arrived in Ayodhya on Wednesday and held a series of meetings to familiarise himself with the trust’s functioning.
