Ram Mandir Trust holds second meeting after donation row

NEW DELHI: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Wednesday held its second meeting in Ayodhya since the alleged donation embezzlement case surfaced, reviewing administrative matters as the probe continues. The trust said it has received 5,200 applications for the post of CEO of the Ram Mandir, but has deferred the appointment by a month to allow the selection committee more time to scrutinise the applications. It also announced plans to set up a permanent institute to train and certify priests for the temple. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri said the trust had decided to establish a permanent institute for training priests. "We have decided to set up a permanent institute for training priests, who would be certified by the Ram temple trust," Giri said. He said the trust had received 5,200 applications for the CEO post. "A total of 5,200 applications have been received for the Ram temple trust CEO post. Considering the volume of applications, the selection committee sought one month's additional time, which has been approved by the Trust," Giri said. He added that the trust would appoint a secretary on an interim basis to meet its growing administrative requirements until the CEO is selected. Interim general secretary Krishna Mohan said there was no discussion on appointing the CEO as the trust is still awaiting the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged donation embezzlement case. "There was no discussion on the appointment of the CEO as the SIT report has not been received yet," Krishna Mohan said. The trust also announced the formation of a permanent committee to oversee the religious affairs of the Ram temple. According to Giri, the committee will comprise nine saints, including five from Ayodhya and four from outside, to supervise the temple's religious activities. The meeting comes weeks after the trust accepted the resignations of its former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra following the alleged donation embezzlement case. Krishna Mohan was appointed interim general secretary, while an SIT was constituted to investigate the allegations.