High-level panel submits report for Ram Temple Trust's first CEO

LUCKNOW: The search committee tasked with selecting the next chief executive officer (CEO) of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has shortlisted three candidates, who are said to be from Uttar Pradesh.

The first CEO of the ram temple is likely to be selected from among the three at a meeting of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust scheduled at the residence of Trust’s president Nritya Gopal Das in Maniramdas Chhavani on Wednesday. One of the shortlisted candidates is a retired military officer, said a source associated with the process.

The three candidates have worked across different parts of the country and have been associated with govt bodies as well as major projects. However, none of them is a bureaucrat or a police officer, contrary to the speculations that Trust could appoint a retired civil servant or a former police officer to the top administrative role.

Trust members held discussions on the panel and were satisfied with the credentials and suitability of all three candidates, the sources said. Trust is expected to select one person from the recommended panel and negotiate the remuneration package with the final choice on Wednesday before formally announcing the appointment.

The CEO will oversee Trust’s administrative operations, including management of pilgrim facilities, coordination during major religious events and engagement with govt agencies and other stakeholders connected with the functioning of the temple complex and related services.

The recommendations follow a comprehensive, technology-enabled recruitment exercise that began with 5,585 applications. The process included multiple rounds of screening, online interactions and in-person meetings with 16 finalists held in Ayodhya on Aug 11 and 12, according to people familiar with the process.

The search and selection committee comprised retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lt Gen Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi and retired nuclear scientist Suresh Haware, who earlier served as chairperson of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi.

Kohli said the committee had selected the candidates after a detailed assessment and that Trust would take the final decision. “Among the three people we have selected, the Trust will decide on one person for the CEO’s post. I believe that with Lord Ram’s blessings, the entire process will be completed smoothly,” Kohli said.

Search committee secretary Sameer Panda said the shortlisted candidates reflected “the highest calibre of institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision” required for an institution of national and international significance. He said the final report had been submitted and an official announcement would be made in due course.

Rejecting speculation about external influence, Panda said no political, religious or social organisation had interfered in the selection process. “No BJP, RSS, VHP or any other organisation ever interfered or recommended anyone’s names for the CEO post,” he said.