But the Uttar Pradesh government has so far quietly earned a whopping Rs 300 crore from pilgrims who thronged the makeshift sanctum sanctorum of an idol of Ram Lalla installed at the disputed spot in 1992.
The figures, revealed through a Right To Information (RTI) reply was mentioned before the Supreme Court by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy who wanted the court to issue a direction to the Uttar Pradesh government to explain what they had done with the money so far.
“Every day thousands of devotees throng the place for ‘darshan’ and ‘pooja’ of the Ram Lalla, but the government has not provided basic minimum facilities to them.
"The RTI reply says the government has so far earned approximate Rs 300 crore from the entry tickets. Where has this money gone? What has been done with it?” asked Swamy.
Swamy said the status quo order passed by the apex court in 1996 was limited to prohibit building of any structure at the disputed site but there was no bar in constructions to facilitate amenities for pilgrims visiting the place.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu assured Swamy that it will hear the petition along with the petitions pending in the court filed in August 2011 filed by Ram Janmabhoomi Samiti and Sunni Waqf Board challenging the Allahabad High Court verdict of a three-way division of the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya.
The High Court had directed that the controversial land of 2.77 acres at Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid be divided equally among Hindus, Muslims and Nirmohi Akhara, the parties to the suit.
A Vishwa Hindu Parishad functionary has sought the RTI information about arrangements at the Ram Janmbhoomi Complex from the receiver of Ram Janmbhoomi and Divisional Commissioner of Faizabad.
It is to be noted that Swamy had, in August this year, urged PM Narendra Modi to initiate steps to rebuild the Ram temple in Ayodhya by 2016 and “fulfill the party's commitment to the electorate.”
No comments:
Post a Comment