Chhattisgarh seeks names of authorised donation collectors from Ram Mandir trust

A senior VHP leader in Chhattisgarh alleged the state’s Congress government was trying to mislead people through the letter.

Updated on: Jan 29, 2021, 14:31:07 IST

By Ritesh Mishra | Edited by Abhinav Sahay, Raipur

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Chhattisgarh chief secretary has written to the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust to find out names of persons or institutions authorized in Chhattisgarh to collect donations for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as per the official letter.

Neeraj Shukla, vice-chairman of ADA, said the estimated construction cost of the Ram temple (covered area) was estimated to be ₹15 crore on the basis of the public work department’s (PWD) schedule.

In his letter, chief secretary Amitabh Jain also cited some incidents of some people and organisations seeking donation in Chhattisgarh for the construction of Ayodhay Ram Mandir, while issuing receipts deemed to be fake.

“One such case was reported from Bilaspur, where a woman was booked by local police for collecting donations for Ram Mandir construction

through fake receipts,” the letter stated.

Jain asked for details of entities authorised for collection of donation to stop “illegal collection” in Chhattisgarh.

The deputy secretary of the Chhattisgarh unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and in-charge of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan, Santosh Chaudhary said the state’s Congress government was trying to mislead people through the letter.

Also Read: Yogi Adityanath calls for generous donations for Ayodhya Ram temple construction

“The Congress is misleading and confusing the people to hamper the donation drive though this letter. Firstly, the woman in Bilaspur was booked on VHP’s complaint and secondly, Ram janmabhoomi trust has already made a committee for collecting donations in every state. In Chhattisgarh, total 56 members are part of that committee,” said Chaudhary.

The construction of the Ram Mandir has begun in Ayodhya and it is likely to be will be completed in two to three years time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presided over the ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremony of the Ram temple on August 5 last year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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