On the third day of the Monsoon Session of Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the Banke Bihari Trust Bill was passed by voice vote on Wednesday.
Even after the Bill is passed, it will not be implemented since the matter is in the court. Earlier, the Yogi Adityanath’s Cabinet had passed this proposal.
Under the Banke Bihari Act, there is a mention of the formation of Shri Banke Bihari Temple Trust. The Bill is a copy of the Ordinance, but would be enforced after the Supreme Court lifts the temporary stay on the Trust.
According to the ordinance, ”the trust will have 11 nominated and 7 ex-officio members. The nominated members include 3 eminent members from Vaishnav traditions/sects/peeths (which may include sadhus, saints, sages, gurus, scholars, head priests, mahants, acharyas, swami), 3 members from traditions/sects/peeths of Sanatan Dharma (eminent personalities of the same category), 3 members from any branch/sect of Sanatan Dharma (eminent person/educationalist/scholar/ entrepreneur/professional/social worker).
”While 2 members from Goswami tradition — one descendant of Swami Haridas ji and one representative of Raj-Bhog — Sevadaars, and the other representative of Shayan-Bhog Sevadaars, will be the members of this Trust.”
All nominated members will be Sanatani Hindus and their tenure will be of 3 years. The ex-officio members will include District Magistrate of Mathura, Senior Superintendent of Police, Municipal Corporation Commissioner, CEO of Uttar Pradesh Braj Tirtha Kshetra Vikas Parishad, CEO of Banke Bihari Temple Trust and nominated representative of the state government. If any ex-officio member is a non-believer of Sanatan Dharma/non-Hindu, then a junior officer will be nominated in his place.
”The meeting of the trust will be mandatory every three months. Notice will have to be given 15 days before the event. The board/members will not be held responsible for the work done in good faith. The trust will have the right to purchase movable/immovable property up to Rs 20 lakh on its own.
”For more than this, government approval will be required. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be an ADM level officer. The trust will have authority over the offerings, donations and all movable and immovable properties of the temple. This includes idols installed in the temple, offerings/gifts given to the deities within the temple premises and boundary, property given in support of any worship-service-ritual-ceremony-religious ritual, offerings in cash or kind, and even bank drafts and cheques sent by post/telegram for the use of the temple premises.
”All movable and immovable properties of Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple including jewellery, grants, contributions, hundi collection will be considered included in the temple properties. The trust will fix the time of darshan, appoint priests and determine salaries, allowances/ compensation,” according to the draft bill.
Along with this, the trust will also be responsible for the safety of devotees and visitors and effective administration and management of the temple.