Ram temple trust moves to name new CEO
The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ram temple in Ayodhya, on Wednesday is expected to make major administrative decisions, including the announcement of a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the temple. A three-member panel of retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and expert member Suresh Haware appointed by the temple trust have shortlisted three names for the CEO from among 5,585 applications received by the trust after advertising the post in July.
The trust is expected to choose the CEO at a meeting on Wednesday at Maniramdas Chhawani, the home of trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. Officials said the meeting will likely start around 2 pm. The three shortlisted names have not been made public.
“We sought this guidance because we were in search of an excellent CEO to ensure the superior management of such a big, world-renowned temple,” said trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri. The decision comes after a June controversy over alleged theft and embezzlement of offerings, which led to an FIR, several arrests, and the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra.
Candidates had to be practising Hindus aged 50 to 70, with at least 20 years of experience managing large institutions and a clear devotion to Lord Ram. Preference went to those willing to live in Ayodhya. Justice Kohli said he was surprised by the number of applications.
The interviewees included former IAS and IPS officers, Army veterans, and professionals from corporate, education, and temple administration backgrounds.
Committee secretary Sameer Panda said the process used both technology and manual review and was meant to be thorough and transparent.
The committee used a 600-mark Google Form to score applicants on experience, management skills, language ability, and vision. 108 candidates scored 470 or higher. After four days of virtual interviews, 16 to 17 people were invited to Ayodhya. Sixteen attended closed-door interviews lasting over an hour each on August 11 and 12, after touring the temple complex.
Three more vacancies arose after trustee Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra passed away. The names for two trustee positions and the general secretary’s office may also be announced at the same meeting.
The trust is also expected to confirm Jagdish Aphale as secretary to manage daily administration.
The CEO will report to the Trust board and is expected to improve accounts, pilgrim management, security, and long-term planning at a site visited by millions of devotees. Trustees present when the report was received on Tuesday included Swami Govind Dev Giri, Mahant Dinendra Das, interim general secretary Krishna Mohan, and Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi. It is up to the Trust to decide whether to announce the name right after Wednesday’s meeting or wait a bit longer, sources added.
