Jammu, July 16: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) at Katra to comprehensively review the Offerings and Donations Management System at the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, with emphasis on transparency, accountability, financial discipline and public trust.
As per news agency KNC, the meeting witnessed a detailed assessment of the systems governing the collection, counting, accounting, safeguarding and utilisation of offerings and donations received from devotees at the holy shrine. The Lieutenant Governor stressed the need for maintaining the highest standards of transparency and strict adherence to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the management of shrine donations.
The meeting was attended by Shrine Board members Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, Baleshwar Rai, Dr. Ashok Bhan, Sudha Murty, Gunjan Rana, Dr. K.K. Talwar, Kulbhushan Ahuja, Lalit Bhasin and Suresh Kumar Sharma. Also present were Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; Alok Kumar Maurya, Additional CEO, SMVDSB, along with other senior officials who attended both physically and virtually from the Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra.
During the meeting, officials delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Shrine Board’s well-established mechanisms for handling offerings received through donation boxes, donation counters, online payment platforms and contributions in the form of precious metals.
The Board was informed about the verification procedures, surveillance systems, banking safeguards and periodic audit mechanisms that ensure transparency and accountability at every stage of the donations management process. It was also highlighted that all financial transactions relating to offerings are carried out strictly in accordance with prescribed banking regulations, statutory provisions and guidelines issued by the Government of India.
The meeting further reviewed the stringent security arrangements adopted for the safe handling, storage and transportation of precious metal offerings. Officials informed the Board that processing and refining of such offerings are undertaken only through reputed government-approved institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the India Government Mint, Hyderabad, ensuring complete security and authenticity.
Following a detailed review, the Shrine Board expressed satisfaction over the existing system, appreciating the robust safeguards, transparent financial procedures and effective monitoring mechanisms that ensure devotees’ offerings are managed with the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, accountability and public confidence.
The Lieutenant Governor reiterated the Shrine Board’s commitment to preserving the sanctity of devotees’ offerings while ensuring that every contribution is managed through a secure, transparent and professionally monitored system in accordance with established norms and best governance practices. (KNC)
