Amid the controversy over donation theft at Ayodhya Ram Mandir, a key meeting slated on July 11 will decide on the potential dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The day-to-day operations and management of the Ram Temple were carried out by the trust and overseen by the general secretary, Champat Rai, and the trustee, Dr Anil Mishra. They used to live in Ayodhya and oversee the entire management. However, with the corruption controversy, both tendered their resignation. The duo would likely be summoned by Ayodhya Police for questioning, as per reports.
Their resignation also created a significant administrative vacuum, forcing the authorities to consider revamping the trust. Besides the duo, another key trust member, Raja Vimlendra Mohan Mishra of the Ayodhya royal family, recently passed away. Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das Ji Maharaj has been ill for a long time and is currently unable to speak. Several other Trust members are also elderly and unable to function as usual.
In this context, the July 11 meeting holds importance. It is believed that the central government will make a final decision regarding the appointment of the new chief.
Speculations are that former Principal Secretary Nripendra Mishra is in contention for the post. Given Mishra's administrative experience as the chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, he may be given complete command of the temple's entire financial and administrative system, ensuring its transparency.
Another name doing the rounds is retired IAS officer, Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, a 2005-batch IAS officer and native of Prayagraj, according to local media reports. He is currently posted as Member (Administrative) in the Uttar Pradesh State Public Service Commission and has also served as District Magistrate of Ayodhya from January to March 2016.
There are also reports that the new chief could hold the post of CEO. However, for this to happen, it will require changes to the bylaws. According to legal experts, a CEO cannot be appointed without changing the trust's rules, as the current norms do not provide for the position of CEO.
