By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 11 Jul: The Government has ordered disciplinary action against three former officials of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) after a departmental inquiry prima facie found financial irregularities in the release of advance funds from the temple corpus for the accommodation, food and other hospitality expenses of VIP guests at Kedarnath. Acting on the findings of the inquiry, the Government has directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BKTC to initiate necessary proceedings against the officials concerned in accordance with the provisions of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, and the rules framed thereunder.
The directions have been issued through a letter written some days ago by Anil Kumar Pandey, Deputy Secretary, Tourism and Religious Affairs Department-I, Uttarakhand Government, to the Chief Executive Officer of the BKTC. The communication refers to the inquiry report submitted by the Committee through its letter regarding the payment of bills relating to the accommodation, food and other hospitality arrangements for distinguished guests associated with the Kedarnath establishment.
According to the Government communication, the inquiry has prima facie concluded that advance money was released from the temple fund without obtaining approval from the competent authority, constituting a financial irregularity. The report has held the role of the then Manager, Kedarnath, the then Chief In-charge Officer, Kedarnath, and the then CEO of BKTC to be suspicious in the matter. The Government has accordingly instructed the present Chief Executive Officer to ensure immediate action against the officers and employees named in the inquiry report in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939 and the rules notified thereunder.
The case marks a significant administrative development in a controversy that surfaced earlier this year after documents obtained under the Right to Information Act brought allegations that expenditure on the accommodation and meals of certain VIP guests had been met from the temple committee’s funds, which are primarily constituted from donations made by devotees. The disclosures triggered widespread public debate and political controversy across the state over the utilisation of temple funds and the need for greater financial accountability in the management of religious institutions.
At the time the allegations surfaced, several political leaders and public representatives whose names figured in media reports had categorically denied that the temple committee had borne their expenses. They maintained that they had personally paid for their stay and related expenditure and called for an impartial inquiry into the matter. Among those whose names had come up during the controversy were BJP leader Neha Joshi and Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, both of whom publicly rejected the allegations and questioned how expenditure had allegedly been shown in their names despite having paid their own bills.
The latest Government action assumes significance as it comes at a time when the functioning of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has been under increased public scrutiny. Recently, the issue of alleged theft of donations at Badrinath Dham also attracted widespread attention, leading to the suspension of a committee employee. The Opposition as well as several social organisations have been demanding greater transparency and accountability in the administration of temple affairs.
