Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has constituted a three-member high-level committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the management of donations and offerings at Badrinath Temple, following directions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The panel has been asked to submit its findings and recommendations to the government within 15 days.
According to an order issued by Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, the committee will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the collection, accounting, and management of donations received at the shrine. The government said the decision was taken in view of complaints received recently and the need for a fair, transparent, and fact-based investigation.
Garhwal Commissioner to Lead Inquiry
The committee will be headed by the Garhwal Commissioner. Its members include Sandeep Tiwari, Managing Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), and Jagat Singh Chauhan, Director (Finance) in the Office of the Director General, Medical and Health Department.
The panel has been authorized to examine financial records, official documents, and other relevant material, besides seeking information from all concerned stakeholders.
Entire Donation Management System Under Scanner
The committee will assess the existing mechanism for collecting, recording, and managing donations and offerings made by devotees. It will also identify any procedural lapses or irregularities, if found. During the course of the inquiry, the panel may record statements from officials, employees, and other persons connected with the matter.
Probe Ordered After Complaints
The issue has been under discussion in recent days after complaints surfaced regarding the management and record-keeping of donations by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). Following preliminary findings, the temple committee had already suspended one employee and initiated a departmental inquiry.
The government has clarified that the high-level committee will conduct an independent investigation based on documentary evidence and statements from concerned parties. Further action will be taken on the basis of its report.
Panel to Recommend Systemic Reforms
Besides investigating the alleged irregularities, the committee has also been tasked with recommending measures to make the donation management system more transparent, accountable, and efficient. It will suggest institutional reforms to prevent similar complaints in the future and may seek assistance from financial experts or other specialists, if required.
Badrinath Temple, one of the four shrines of the Char Dham Yatra, receives lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad every year. Given the religious significance of the temple and the faith of devotees, the government has emphasized the need for complete transparency and accountability in the management of offerings. The committee’s report is now expected to determine the next course of action.
