The appointment process for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has moved to the next stage, with more than 5,300 applications received for the post and 18 candidates shortlisted for interviews.
According to sources associated with the temple, the shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on Tuesday and Wednesday before a panel constituted at the temple premises. The appointment is aimed at strengthening the administrative and management functions of the temple.
Following the screening of applications for the Ram Mandir CEO post, 18 candidates have been selected for the next stage of the recruitment process. According to sources, candidates with experience in administration and management may be given priority.
The CEO will be responsible for the temple’s day-to-day administration, employee-related matters and coordination of various arrangements.
The shortlisted candidates will appear before a special panel at the temple premises. The panel includes former Justice Pramod Kohli, Lieutenant General (Retired) Vishnukant Chaturvedi and scientist Suresh Haware.
Suresh Haware has also served as the former chairman of the Shirdi Sai Baba Trust. According to sources, administrative experience, along with an understanding of religious and institutional management, may be considered in the selection process.
According to sources, specific eligibility criteria have been prescribed for candidates applying for the post. Candidates must be between 50 and 70 years of age.
They must also be familiar with Hinduism and its traditions and follow the religious rules and arrangements of the Trust. Candidates are required to be vegetarian and refrain from alcohol and intoxicating substances.
The CEO is expected to handle administrative responsibilities while taking into account the religious sensitivities of the temple.
The CEO appointment process has advanced at a time when an alleged irregularity involving donations at the Ram Mandir is under investigation. After the matter came to light in early June, the Trust decided to appoint a CEO to further strengthen the temple’s administrative structure.
The CEO may play a key role in overseeing the temple administration, employees and the functioning of various departments. The appointment is expected to bring greater structure to decision-making and increase oversight of financial and administrative arrangements.
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13 to investigate the alleged donation irregularities. After an initial report emerged, an FIR was registered on June 25, and police arrested eight people in the case.
According to investigating agencies, cash as well as gold, silver and foreign currency were recovered from the accused. Those arrested include Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav.
According to police, the highest cash recovery, amounting to Rs 20.39 lakh, was made from Avinash Shukla. The investigation is continuing, and a final conclusion on the allegations will emerge only after the investigation and judicial process are completed.
