PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Taking cognisance of allegations of irregularities in handling of donations made to Badrinath Dham levelled on social media, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has ordered the formation of an inquiry committee to conduct an impartial probe into the allegations. Strict legal action will be taken against any employee found guilty in the investigation.
The BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi clarified that the person being referred to as his personal secretary on social media does not occupy any such position. The person in question is a regularised government employee of the BKTC and has worked with three chairmen of the BKTC in the past. If the allegations levelled against him on social media are found to be true, strict action will be taken against the guilty, Dwivedi said.
The BKTC chief executive officer Sohan Singh Rangad said that based on the matter which went viral on social media on July 2, the CCTV camera footage of the Badrinath Dham compound was checked. Though the footage is not clear, the BKTC chairman was informed about the entire issue considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the subject.
On the chairman’s directions, a clarification has also been sought from the employees in question while a report is being submitted to the chairman regarding the formation of an internal inquiry committee to probe the matter.
After formation, the committee will conduct a detailed inquiry checking all facts, available evidence and take statements of those concerned before submitting its report. The CEO said that unconfirmed allegations- counter allegations should be avoided till the allegation is confirmed through a proper inquiry. He appealed to the public to respect religious sentiments and observe patience to prevent any impact on the image of the holy pilgrimage centre.
