Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to inspire constitution of trust for Ram temple

JAMMU: With the Supreme Court clearing the way for a Ram temple at the 2.77-acre disputed site in Ayodhya, the focus has now shifted to the proposed grand edifice and if sources are to be believed, the management of the upcoming temple will have some resemblance with how the revered shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra is run.

Credible sources inform The News Now that the Centre is soon to initiate the process of constituting the trust, which will construct and run the Ram temple in Ayodhya, as ordered by the Supreme Court and in the process, it will take a leaf out of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

The Supreme Court on Saturday in its Ayodhya verdict has asked the Centre to formulate a scheme pursuant to the powers vested in it under Sections 6 and 7 of the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act 1993 within a period of three to four months.

"The scheme shall envisage the setting up of a trust with a Board of Trustees or any other appropriate body under Section 6. The scheme to be framed by the Central government shall make necessary provisions in regard to the functioning of the trust or body including on matters relating to the management of the trust, the powers of the trustees including the construction of a temple and all necessary, incidental and supplemental matters," the court had said.

According to sources, the Central government officials including from the Home Ministry are currently busy sorting out initial technicalities so that the order of the apex court can be implemented.

After that, a meeting will be called on the matter. The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to play a key role in the process.

“The trust to construct the temple and manage its day-to-day affairs will be constituted on the basis of laws that govern the trust for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in Katra,” sources informed.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board was set up in 1986 to manage the affairs in the revered shrine visited by over 85 lakh devotees from all parts of India every year.

“The board’s functioning over the years has been impressive, considering that even after ensuring top class upkeep of the shrine including 14km long pathway to the Bhawan and salaries of a large number of employees, besides running a university and hospital, the board still has a significant earning which goes back into the shrine’s maintenance and other charitable works,” a source said.

He added that while government will definitely constitute the upcoming trust for Ram temple under the law which gave way for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, “there’s nothing to be surprised, if some of the practices here are carried over to Ayodhya.”

Meanwhile, the sources said that after constituting the trust for Ram temple and deciding its members, the centre will give them the inner and outer courtyards of the 2.77 acre complex.

“The process has to be completed within the time stipulated by the apex court,” said sources.

The Central government will also consult legal experts before the finalisation of the structure of the trust.

"Possession of the inner and outer courtyards shall be handed over to the Board of Trustees of the Trust or to the body so constituted. The Central Government will be at liberty to make suitable provisions in respect of the rest of the acquired land by handing it over to the Trust or body for management and development in terms of the scheme framed in accordance with the above directions and Possession of the disputed property shall continue to vest in the statutory receiver under the Central Government, untill in exercise of its jurisdiction under Section 6 of the Ayodhya Act of 1993, a notification is issued vesting the property in the trust or other body," the apex court had said.