Gaya: RJD MLA from Bodh Gaya Kumar Sarvajeet on Thursday raised concerns over the delay in reconstituting Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), alleging that the administrative vacuum persisting for nearly three months could pose security and financial challenges for the Unesco-listed Mahabodhi Mahavihara.Addressing a news conference at the residence of RJD Jehanabad MP Surendra Prasad Yadav, Sarvajeet criticised state govt, saying the announcement of the new committee should have been made well before the previous panel’s tenure ended.Under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, BTMC is to be reconstituted every three years. The committee comprises the Gaya DM as its ex-officio chairperson and eight members, with four each from the Buddhist and Hindu communities. One member is designated as member-secretary to oversee the temple’s day-to-day administration.“The tenure of the previous member-secretary, Mahashweta Maharathi, ended on July 16. It has been 98 days since then, but the state govt has failed to constitute a new committee. The absence of a regular member-secretary is affecting the Mahavihara’s daily administration,” Sarvajeet alleged.Meanwhile, Gaya DM and BTMC chairperson Shashank Shubhankar has deputed ADM (revenue) Paritosh Kumar to look after the shrine’s day-to-day affairs until a new committee is constituted.Highlighting the approaching tourist season in Nov, Dec and Jan, when the Mahavihara receives large numbers of foreign pilgrims and donations, Sarvajeet warned that administrative delays could affect the institution’s compliance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).“A few years ago, the BTMC had to pay a penalty of over Rs 88 lakh because of a delay in submitting duly audited accounts. It was also deprived of crores of rupees in foreign donations for more than a year. We could face a similar financial crisis if the BTMC is not constituted immediately,” he said.The MLA also flagged security concerns at the World Heritage site. He said more than 300 police personnel were deployed at the Mahavihara but alleged that the absence of a fully constituted administrative body could weaken local oversight of security arrangements.
