Ram Temple Donation Row: Clothes without pockets, ban on conversation… 23 employees resigned after being fed up with these 7 new rules

After the alleged embezzlement controversy regarding counting of offerings (donations) in Ayodhya’s Ram temple, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has made major changes in the entire system. With an aim to increase the security and transparency of donations, the Trust has implemented several new rules for the employees, which include wearing clothes without pockets, police attested character certificate, CCTV surveillance and strict discipline during counting.

Amidst these changes, 23 employees counting the offerings resigned en masse. Employees say that with the new rules, working hours were increased, salaries and facilities were changed and more strictness was imposed at the workplace than before.

On the other hand, the Trust says that the security of the donations of the devotees is the top priority and that is why the system is being made more transparent than before. This entire incident has sparked a new debate regarding donation management in Ram temple. Let us know what major changes were made after the theft controversy and what are the reasons being given for the resignation of the employees.

1. Why did 23 employees resign together?

23 employees counting donations submitted mass resignations to their recruiting agency. Employees say that after the new rules, work pressure increased, duty hours were increased and facilities were cut. The Trust has cited security reasons as the reason for these changes.

2. Now it will be mandatory to wear clothes without pockets

The biggest change that has been made is that the employees counting donations will now be allowed to enter the counting room only wearing clothes without pockets. Its purpose is to eliminate the possibility of any kind of theft or hiding of cash.

3. Now counting of notes will be done on the floor, not the table.

Whereas earlier the counting of notes was done on the table, now the cash will be counted on the floor covered with mattresses and plywood. The Trust believes that this will enable better monitoring of the entire process.

4. Strictness on conversation and unnecessary movement

Employees have been banned from talking to each other in the counting room. Apart from this, the time spent in washroom and canteen is also being monitored so that there is no carelessness during counting.

5. Police verification of every employee is necessary

Now character certificate verified by the police has been made mandatory for the employees involved in counting donations. The Trust says that this will ensure background checks of employees performing sensitive responsibilities.

6. CCTV surveillance more stringent than ever

Additional CCTV cameras have been installed in the donation counting room and monitoring room. The entire counting process will be continuously monitored so that the possibility of any kind of irregularity can be reduced.

7. What action has been taken so far in the theft dispute?

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is investigating the alleged irregularities in donations. The state government has already extended the time to increase the scope of investigation. So far, many people involved in donation collection and counting have been arrested in the case and the investigating agencies have claimed to have recovered cash worth lakhs of rupees from the accused. The investigation is still going on.