Ram temple trust set to appoint first full-time CEO

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to appoint the first full-time chief executive officer (CEO) of the Ram temple from a shortlist of three candidates selected from 5,585 applications.

The Trust is holding a meeting in Ayodhya amid the controversy over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations, which led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary.

Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Swami Kamalnayan Das, interim general secretary Dr Krishna Mohan, trustee Mahant Dinendra Das and treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri were among those present at the meeting.

Kamalnayan Das, who is part of the Trust's religious affairs committee, said his priority was ensuring the smooth functioning of the temple.

"I have no knowledge about who will be made the CEO. My wish is that the affairs of the temple should run smoothly," he told PTI.

Trust members remained tight-lipped about the identities of the shortlisted candidates, saying the final decision would be taken after deliberations by the board of trustees.

Mahant Dinendra Das said the decision would be taken "unanimously" and that the outcome would be announced after the meeting concludes.

The search committee, headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli and comprising retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware, submitted its final report to Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri on Tuesday.

According to committee secretary Sameer Panda, the panel recommended three candidates after evaluating applicants on institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision.

Sources said retired bureaucrats were among the leading contenders, though the names of the shortlisted candidates have not been disclosed.

The selection process involved AI-enabled screening as well as manual assessment. A 600-mark evaluation framework was used to assess the applications, with 3,577 candidates taking part in the initial assessment.

Candidates who scored 470 marks or above were shortlisted for the next stages. The process included virtual interactions with 108 applicants, followed by final interviews of 16 candidates in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.

The Trust is also expected to discuss amendments to its deed to define the CEO's powers and responsibilities, institutionalise the new administrative structure and improve coordination among its committees.

Three vacant trustee posts are also likely to be discussed.

The meeting is further expected to consider financial and administrative matters arising from the temple donation case, besides coordination of security arrangements with local authorities.