Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
Why in News?
The Trust inducted three new trustees—Mahesh Bhagchandka (Delhi-based businessman, now treasurer), Madan Mohan Pandey (Ayodhya lawyer), and Dr Nirmala Yadav (first woman trustee)—and elevated Swami Govind Dev Giri to full-time General Secretary.
Establishment and Mandate
- Origin: The Trust was set up on February 5, 2020, by the Government of India.
- Legal Catalyst: Its formation directly followed the historic November 2019 Supreme Court of India verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute, which mandated the creation of an independent trust to oversee temple construction.
- Primary Objective: It holds the mandate to manage, construct, and maintain the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
- Land Ownership: The Central Government transferred the entire 67.703-acre acquired temple site area to this Trust.
Legal and Governance Structure
- Independent Body: The trust operates as an independent entity set up via a trust deed under the Indian Trusts Act.
- No Direct Government Ambit: Because it functions autonomously without direct state funds or financial assistance, the Trust does not fall under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
- Government Representation: The structure accounts for an IAS officer representing the Central Government, another representing the State Government, and the District Magistrate of Ayodhya as an ex-officio member. However, these government nominees do not hold voting rights during trust board resolutions.
- Milestone Accomplished: The grand temple construction reached its primary phase completion with the Prana Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) held on January 22, 2024.
