Jammu: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) to review management of offerings and donations at the shrine, emphasising the need for transparency, accountability and adherence to standard operating procedures.
The review meeting was held following a Jammu court’s direction to the Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police to produce complete records related to a complaint alleging large-scale irregularities in the handling of silver offerings at the shrine.
The meeting, attended by SMVDSB members and senior officials, undertook a comprehensive review of the collection, counting, accounting, safeguarding and utilisation of offerings made by devotees, an official press release informed.
According to officials, the SMVDSB was briefed on the institutional mechanisms in place for secure and transparent handling of donations received through donation boxes, counters, online platforms and in the form of precious metals.
A presentation highlighted the verification processes, surveillance systems, banking safeguards and periodic audits governing every stage of the management of offerings.
Officials informed the board that all financial transactions relating to donations are carried out in accordance with prescribed banking norms, statutory provisions and guidelines issued by the Government of India.
The board also reviewed security protocols for handling, storage and transportation of precious metal offerings, including their processing and refining through government-approved institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India and the India Government Mint, Hyderabad, they said.
After the review, the board expressed satisfaction with the existing arrangements, stating that the mechanisms ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management of devotees’ offerings.
It also appreciated the safeguards adopted by the shrine board to maintain highest standards of integrity, financial discipline and public trust, officials said.
A Jammu court recently directed the crime branch to produce complete records relating to a complaint alleging large-scale irregularities in the handling of silver offerings at the Vaishno Devi shrine after a petitioner challenged the police’s action taken report and pressed for registration of an FIR for a thorough investigation.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, asked the inquiry officer to appear with the entire record on July 29 and explain the action taken on the complaint, which alleges misappropriation and adulteration of silver offerings worth over Rs 500 crore.
Advocate Deepak Sharma, the complainant in the case, has challenged the crime branch’s action-taken report, contending that it fails to disclose if an FIR was registered or any detailed meaningful investigation was carried out into allegations involving nearly 20 tonnes of silver offerings by the devotees at the shrine.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor reviewed the situation after a Amarnath Yatra pilgrim bus from Rajasthan caught fire at Karol in Ramban due to tyre burst while returning from the holy cave.
The LG spoke with the Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan, and senior officials, and directed them to provide immediate assistance to the affected pilgrims.
In a post on X, the LG said: “I have reviewed the situation with senior officials and Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, after a Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrim bus from Rajasthan returning after Darshan caught fire at Karol due to a tyre burst. By Lord Shiva’s grace, all pilgrims are safe. I have directed the Ramban district administration to provide immediate assistance to the Yatris and arrange for their safe travel back to Rajasthan.”
LG pays obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday paid obeisance at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and offered prayers for peace, good health and prosperity for all, according to an official statement.
