Temple trust open to selecting woman CEO

Lucknow: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has said the post of trust chief executive officer is open to both men and women.The three-member committee appointed to select the CEO is expected to complete the selection process within the next 30 days.The committee has stressed that honesty and integrity would be among the foremost criteria. The person selected should be capable of fostering a harmonious working environment within the trust and command the respect of all stakeholders.The committee comprises Justice Pramod Kohli (Retd), Lt Gen Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi (Retd), and Suresh Haware.One of the committee members told TOI that the selection process has begun and the panel intends to complete the exercise at the earliest, with the appointment likely to be finalised in at least one month.According to the member, the CEO must have deep faith in Lord Ram while also possessing sound management skills. The successful candidate will be expected to ensure that pilgrims receive proper facilities and that the temple’s administrative systems function smoothly.The committee is not restricting its search to any particular professional background. Instead, the emphasis is on identifying a person with humility, dedication, integrity and the ability to work tirelessly for devotees.

Candidates from the police, armed forces and paramilitary forces could also be in the reckoning, given their proven organisational and management capabilities. Final selection will be based solely on merit and suitability.The committee is also not expected to undertake a formal search process similar to that followed in the corporate sector. Instead, prospective names are likely to emerge through recommendations and applications, with behavioural attributes, public reputation and demonstrated integrity carrying significant weight.The CEO will be responsible for coordinating with the district administration and other govt agencies to ensure smooth management of the large number of devotees visiting Ayodhya. Financial oversight will form another key aspect of the role, with the CEO expected to ensure proper management of donations and other financial matters in accordance with established procedure.Asked whether the appointment would require amendments to the trust’s existing bylaws, the member said no such proposal is under consideration at present. Any future changes, if required, would be dealt with in accordance with the trust’s legal framework.While no age limit or salary has been finalised, the member said the trust is looking for a senior individual. The CEO will receive remuneration, though details are yet to be decided.