New Delhi: A three-member selection committee has recommended three candidates for the post of chief executive officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth
Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The committee submitted its report to the Trust on Tuesday. Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri Maharaj said the organisation would most likely make the final decision on Wednesday.
The Trust began the appointment process on July 6 after reports of alleged embezzlement of donations surfaced in May. The appointment of a professional CEO is part of the Trust’s efforts to restore public confidence after the controversy.
Three names shortlisted
The selection committee included retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Haware. “We can say with confidence that this selection process was entirely transparent and fair. The trust will now decide which of these three individuals will serve as the CEO,” Justice Kohli told reporters.
The committee received 5,585 applications between July 11 and July 18. Justice Kohli said examining such a large number of applications was a difficult task. “So we held a meeting on July 19 and decided to create a Google Form featuring different categories and assigning marks based on eligibility criteria,” he said.
Thousands submit applications
The committee prepared a Google Form carrying 600 marks and sent it to all 5,585 applicants. Of them, 3,577 completed and submitted the form. The panel shortlisted 108 candidates who secured at least 470 marks. It then held virtual interactions with them through video conferencing.
“On further categorisation, 108 individuals fell into that specific category — those who scored 470 marks or above. We conducted virtual interactions via video conferencing with these 108 individuals,” Justice Kohli said.
The committee placed 17 candidates in grades A, B and C after assessing their performance, approach, commitment, vision and understanding of the role. Sixteen of them appeared for in-person interviews in Ayodhya. The panel then selected the final three names.
Trust meeting Wednesday
The Trust will hold two sittings on Wednesday. The first session will take place from 2 pm to 3 pm, while the second will run from 4 pm to 6 pm. Members will discuss a 12-point agenda. This will be the Trust’s third meeting since the alleged donation theft came to light. The meeting will take place at Maniramdas Chhawani, the residence of Ram Mandir Trust president Nritya Gopal Das.
Deed changes likely
Sources said the Trust could amend its deed to introduce new rules and define the powers of the CEO. This would be the first amendment since the Trust was formed on February 5, 2020. The proposed changes could also create a legal route for former general secretary Champat Rai to return to the Trust.
Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned on June 26, one day after the Uttar Pradesh Police registered a case over alleged irregularities in donations collected for the temple.
