Among the ‘Ram Bhaktis’ who have applied for the post of the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, there are a large number of retired bureaucrats, according to sources associated with the process, news agency PTI reported. The application window for the position ends on Saturday.
The appointment comes against the backdrop of alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple, and is part of the Fund’s efforts to tighten financial control and improve its administrative performance.
The newly created CEO position is key to the fund’s efforts to tighten financial oversight, strengthen institutional accountability and streamline the temple’s day-to-day management following an investigation into the alleged theft of donations.
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Strong response to CEO hiring
“There is definitely a huge response. Many applicants also sent their CVs directly to us, but we sent them back, and asked to send them to the expert panel, which alone is empowered to scrutinize applications before recommending names to the trust,” a senior member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust told PTI.
According to PTI sources, retired bureaucrats constituted the largest group of applicants. The eligibility criteria also allows serving government employees in their last two years of service, retired officers and eligible professionals in the private sector to apply.
A person familiar with the process said that the role of the three-member expert committee is limited to examining applications and preparing a shortlist, while the Fund will make the final decision on the appointment.
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“The committee will evaluate the applications and recommend appropriate names. The final appointment will be determined by the fund,” the source said, adding that the committee is unlikely to recommend more than three candidates.
The expert panel consists of retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lt. Gen. Vishnakant Chaturvedi and former head of the National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Suresh Hawari.
The deadline for applications is 4pm on Saturday, after which the committee will begin screening candidates. She was given about a month to complete the exercise.
Besides assessing eligibility and experience, the committee may conduct individual interactions with shortlisted candidates before making its recommendations. The fund may also hold separate interactions before selecting its first CEO, the sources said.
The appointment is expected to take place once the Fund regains its full strength. It currently has 13 members after Krishna Mohan was appointed interim general secretary following the resignation of Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. Trustee Vimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra died last year. The sources said that the vacant positions are expected to be filled at the fund’s meeting on July 22.
The selection process is carried out independently by the Trust, which operates under the direction of the Supreme Court and is not under the control of the government.
Who can apply for the position of CEO?
The Foundation called for applications for the newly created position on 13 July. Candidates must be between 50 and 70 years of age, have at least 20 years of management experience in a large public organisation, institution, government department or company, and be an “actively practicing Hindu”, with a preference for devotees of Lord Ram who belong to the Vaishnavite tradition.
Applicants are required to have at least a Bachelor’s degree, possess working knowledge of Hindi and English, and have experience in management, finance, accounts, human resources, public relations, IT, security and legal. Preference will also be given to candidates who have served as principal administrative officers or managed a Hindu temple or religious institution.
According to the notification, the CEO will report to the Secretary General of the Trust and will initially be appointed for a term of three years, extendable based on satisfactory performance. Salary and service conditions will be determined through mutual discussion.
Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra had earlier said that the CEO’s first responsibility would be to “maintain the faith of devotees in honesty” while overseeing the temple’s financial arrangements and ensuring adequate facilities for pilgrims.
“There will be no government interference in the work of the fund or the CEO,” Mishra said, adding that the official will work as an “assistant to the fund” and will remain accountable to it.
(With inputs from PTI)
