Days after appointing CEO, Ram Mandir trust to appoint deputy CEO soon

Days after appointing retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first full-time chief executive officer, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has begun the process of selecting a deputy CEO as part of a wider restructuring of the administration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

A panel of candidates for the deputy CEO’s post has been prepared and the trust is likely to make a selection after examining the shortlisted names. The move follows the September 2 appointment of Mishra, who headed the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, as the trust’s first CEO.

The creation of the new management structure comes as the trust shifts from a predominantly construction-focused phase towards the long-term operation of the temple complex, involving finances, security, crowd management, infrastructure, employees and coordination with government agencies.

New management structure

Mishra was selected from three candidates shortlisted after an extensive process in which 5,585 applications were received for the CEO’s post. A three-member search committee used AI-assisted and manual screening to narrow the applications before interviews were conducted.

The search process eventually shortlisted Mishra, former Major General Sanjay Pratap Singh and Shruti Bharadwaj, with the trust choosing Mishra for a three-year tenure.

Trust general secretary Govind Dev Giri had said after Mishra’s appointment that a joint CEO or deputy CEO could also be appointed if required. The trust is preparing a standard operating procedure defining the CEO’s duties, powers and responsibilities as it introduces a more professional administrative structure.

Mishra reached Ayodhya Thursday and began familiarising himself with the trust’s operations, holding meetings on finances, staffing and security arrangements. He is expected to formally take charge shortly.

Restructuring after donation row

The administrative overhaul follows controversy over alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram temple. The row erupted in June after allegations that crores of rupees from temple offerings had been siphoned off, leading to police action and the constitution of Special Investigation Teams.

An SIT report subsequently flagged “gross lapses” in the trust’s functioning and a lack of professional financial management, although it found no evidence of financial impropriety at the leadership level.

The controversy was followed by the resignations of then general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. As part of the restructuring, Govind Dev Giri has been appointed full-time general secretary, while Delhi-based businessman Mahesh Bhagchandka has taken over as treasurer.

The trust has also inducted three new trustees, including Nirmala Yadav, its first woman member, and is considering amendments to its deed to formally incorporate the CEO’s position and define the office holder’s powers, tenure and responsibilities.

The proposed amendments are expected to be considered at the trust’s December 2 meeting. The possible appointment of a deputy CEO would further expand the professional management structure being put in place to oversee the growing Ram temple ecosystem.