Ram temple trust seeks FCRA nod

Pune: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will soon accept foreign donations for the construction of Ayodhya temple as it has applied for registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) from the Centre, said Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri. Constituted in February 2020, the trust had applied for the FCRA approval in June this year. “The trust could have got the required FCRA permission early as an exception, but we did not want it. Only those trust which have completed three years can apply for FCRA registration and we completed the period in February this year,” said Giri during an interaction with reporters in Pune on Monday. “The Trust till date has received ₹3,200 crore from citizens and different organisations from the country. People have contributed generously and the funds are enough to successfully undertake the temple development at Ayodhya,” he said, adding that the Trust has three bank accounts — State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda — that receives donations. “The sanctum sanctorum within the temple is likely to be opened for devotees on Makar Sankranti in January 2024,” Giri said. Meanwhile, the Trust and Heritage Handweaving Revival Charitable Trust in Pune will organise “Do Dhage Shri Ram Ke Liye” initiative from December 10 to 22 in which people will weave on handlooms to create “vastras” (dress) for Bhagwan Sri Ram Lalla Virajman at Ayodhya.