Interviews are underway to appoint the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Eighteen candidates have been called for the four-day interview process.
On Tuesday, the first day of interviews, former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey, known as an encounter specialist, and former Ayodhya District Magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra appeared for the interview.
According to sources, each candidate’s interview is lastingfor 15-20 mins. Questions such as ‘Where have you worked?’, ‘How much faith do you have in Lord Ram?’ and ‘Who are the members of your family?’ are being asked.
More than 5,300 people applied for the CEO post, but only 18 were shortlisted. Apart from former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey and former Ayodhya DM Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, the names of the other 15 candidates have not been disclosed.
Retired Justice Pramod Kohli, former scientist Dr Suresh Hawade and retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi are conducting the interviews. Three candidates will be shortlisted from the 18. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will then interview these three candidates and select the final CEO.
First, know about the former officers who appeared for interviews today
5,300 applications scrutinised using 34 questions
Amid the controversy over the alleged theft of Ram Temple donations, the trust invited applications for the CEO post from July 13 to 18.
Applicants were required to answer 34 questions through an online Google Form. Based on their responses, the team scrutinised more than 5,300 applications and found 18 candidates eligible for the post. They were subsequently called for interviews.
Key conditions set for applicants
Age limit: Applicants had to be between 50 and 70 years old.
Tenure: The CEO will initially be appointed for three years. The tenure may be extended based on performance.
Experience: Applicants must have at least 20 years of experience in areas such as general administration, finance and accounts, human resources, public relations, information technology, security and law.
Applicants asked whether they were ‘staunch’ or ‘devout’ Hindus
The Google Form sought personal details including the applicant’s name, date of birth, age, address, city, state, PIN code, mobile number and email address. Applicants were also asked about their ability to understand Hindi and English, highest educational qualification, current employment or retirement status, and previous organisation.
Applicants were asked how many employees they had led, with options ranging from 1,000 to more than 5,000 employees. They were also asked whether they had previously been associated with any social or religious organisation, monastery or temple.
Those who answered yes were asked to provide details of how many years they had been associated with such an organisation. Applicants also had to state whether they considered themselves a staunch Hindu or a devout Hindu. They were further asked to provide their vision, action plan and suggestions for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra.
