23 cash counting employees at Ram temple resign over ‘long shift’ after donation controversy

The staff claimed that after the donation theft controversy came to light, they were working in one shift from 9am to 6pm instead of two shifts earlier

Twenty-three employees engaged in counting donations and offerings at Ayodhya’s Ram temple submitted their collective resignation earlier this week, alleging they were made to work an extremely long shift and were paid very low wages. With this, only 13 cash-counting personnel now remain at the temple after the alleged donation theft controversy came to light.

A view of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. (FILE PHOTO)

When contacted, no official of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was willing to say anything on the issue. The State Bank of India’s Naya Ghat branch carries out the cash-counting job in Ram Mandir and hired personnel through an outsourced agency.

The staff claimed that after the donation theft controversy came to light, they were working in one shift from 9am to 6pm instead of two shifts earlier. So far, eight people with links to the temple’s cash-counting team have been arrested in connection with the case. The SIT probe is ongoing.

Earlier, the SIT formed by the state government examined CCTV footage from the donation counting process. The footage allegedly showed employees stealing cash and hiding it in pockets and shoes.

Following the donation theft controversy, Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned as general secretary and trustee, respectively, of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The Trust has said it is reviewing procedures to bring more transparency and accountability to the donation management system.