Recently the entire world has become dumb with shocking news of commercialization of the temple (God being the beneficiary) jewelery and valuables by some unscrupulous persons in the guise of Poojaris (ref. to culprits only ) and Officers (r ef. toculprits only ) at different important temple places. It is indeed a great blow to the sentiments of the religious minded, God fearing and those who believe that the God (Baba) is all pervasive.
Persons responsible for this kind of activities that go hard hitting the sacred sentiments of millions of people in a country like India should be dealt with severe punishment in order to restore the unity of disturbed people in cultural diversity. The appropriate government should concentrate and ensure while recruiting the staff for temples and the related Trusts that they possess religious faith and belief in God. The staffing mismatch in religious institutions would go a long way damaging the thread of national integration through religion.
As a humble and faithful devotee of Lord Shirdi Sai Baba I could do nothing more than putting forward my heartfelt concern about the happening devastation to the temple properties with special reference to Sansthan’s jewellery and valuables, in the form of some advisory thought and in support of great philanthropists and loyal administrators who are engaged in Baba’s seva and involved in the Mandir management.
It really pains when criticism attacks the unconnected and the appropriate Government for no fault of theirs due to the misdeeds of few offenders with self-centered attitude and disturbing bent of mind. In this context I humbly submit my strong feeling that the replication of some of my following thoughts might throw rejuvenated light on the safety procedures of Sansthan jewellery and valuables. The authorities may consider and follow any of them if felt practicable, effective and useful.
1. The entire range of jewellery and valuables may be divided into TWO Categories (a) Big items and (b) Small items.
2. A current list of all BIG and SMALL jewels and valuable items should be individually and scrupulously prepared.
3. Compare separately BIG and SMALL items between the stock of items (available 20 years back + additions during 20 years period = the total stock of items) that should be available as per records and the stock of items actually available at present.
4. An ad hoc committee [of 10 members] called ‘Verification Committee’ may be constituted by the government comprising 3 educated independent persons with integrity from devotees, 1 Reputed Goldsmith, 1 Precious Stones expert, 2 officers who are custodians of jewellery and valuables, Sansthan Executive Officer, Retired Sansthan Executive Officer and a Retired Judge (convener)
5. The committee would go into every minute detail of the jewellery and valuables description including the stone counting and their quality verification (by the original maker, if alive) wherever needed / suspected.
FOUR-STAGE VERIFICATION:
6. 20 Years back lists of jewellery and valuables + offerings and donations from devotees or from other sources during the subsequent 5 years as per the books of original entry + jewellery and valuables under repair (if any); a Separate List should be prepared (physically verified) and kept confidentially.
7. 15 Years back lists of jewellery and valuables (as on date) should be compared with point No.6. Points 6 and 7 should perfectly tally. Find discrepancies, if any.
8. 15 Years back Lists of jewellery and valuables (point 7) + ofrferings and Donations from devotees or from other sources during subsequent 5 years as per the books of original entry + Jewellery and valuables under repair (if any), a Separate List should be prepared (physically verified) and kept confidentially.
9. 10 Years back lists of jewellery and valuables (as on date) should be compared with point No.8. Points 8 and 9 should perfectly tally. Find discrepancies, if any.
10. 10 Years back Lists of jewellery and valuables (point 9) + Offerings and Donations from devotees or from other sources during subsequent 5 years as per the books of original entry + jewellery and valuables under repair (if any), a Separate List should be prepared (physically verified) and kept confidentially.
11. 5 Years back lists of jewellery and valuables (as on date) should be compared with point No.10. Points 10 and 11 should perfectly tally. Find discrepancies, if any.
12. 5 Years back Lists of jewellery and valuables (point 11) + Offerings and Donations from devotees or from other sources during subsequent 5 years as per the books of original entry + jewellery and valuables under repair (if any), a Separate List should be prepared (physically verified) and kept confidentially.
13. Present lists (now running) of jewellery and valuables (as on date) should be compared with point No.12. Points 12 and 13 should perfectly tally. Find discrepancies, if any.
14. List out all discrepancies Date wise, Item wise, Period wise, Value wise (If known), Officers in-charge during those respective periods, --arrive at the total loss – (period wise)
15. Maximum time limit for verification and submitting Report should be 50 days. However, extendable by not more than 10 days under unavoidable circumstances.
FROM NOW:
16. Suitable boxes may be made with Shirdi Sai Sansthan (SSS) hologram to perfectly accommodate each BIG jewel and valuable item engraving the item name on the box for easy identification and counting.
17. Suitable boxes may be made with Shirdi Sai Sansthan (SSS) hologram to perfectly accommodate each BIG jewel and valuable item along with their accessories engraving the names of the items and their accessories on the box.
18. Make suitable Boxes in easy to carry bigger size for SMALL jewel items to accommodate them in their perfect grooves / chambers description wise.—[some suggestions from appropriate persons may be taken to ensure convenience and comfortable usage]
19. Separate Registers have to be maintained with complete record of All BIG items, All SMALL items, All loose stones (Category wise), Jewels under repair (Category wise), Miscellaneous Items (with description ) Category wise), Valuable Clothes (with description, Category wise), other valuables if any (Category wise)
20. Wherever possible the name of the donor, his address with Telephone No, and his other details along with the nature, quantity, quality, description of his offering or donation should be noted in the Register at appropriate place.
21. An impossible to break, sufficient to accommodate all jewellery and valuables type CHEST has to be built (if already not available) inside the Sansthan complex at a place visible to devotees. The chest will be operated with Three Keys. One Master Key (with custodian / Designated Officer), and Two other keys (one with Executive Officer / Joint Executive Officer and the second with Chief Security Officer
22. A computer with highest configuration, along with sophisticated Scanner, powerful colour printer and other necessary accessories has to be installed for recording the storage of jewellery and valuables. This computer will store the pictures of all jewels and valuables of the Sansthan.
One such latest copy is kept with Executive Officer, second copy will be with the Chairman, Third Copy will be in the Sansthan bank locker and the fourth one will be with the Chief Secretary Govt. of Maharashtra in the form of CDs.
These CDs will be updated on every March 1st. with a grace period of 10 working days. This computer should be operated only by the custodian / designated officer who is responsible for the safe custody of jewels and valuables. No need to say that this process takes place under tight security.
23. 24 hour operating powerful CC Cameras with powerful stand by UPS should cover the entire area of the chest.
24. Withdrawal of jewellery and valuables each time from the chest should be as per the strictly evolved procedure. The presence of custodian, simultaneous item wise recording in the Outgoing Register and in the Computer should be ensured. All should sign the register and their names are entered in the computer every time.
25. After the purpose is accomplished the withdrawn jewellery and valuables should be restored in the presence of custodian and should be recorded both in the Incoming Register and Computer- (any automatic system if available may be followed)—all should sign and their names should be entered in the computer every time.
26. Ornaments for repairs should be handled by custodians and particulars like name of the receiver, weight, accessories, quantity, quality, type of repair, expected time of return, repair charges etc. should be recorded in a special Register and in computer.
27. Offerings /donations from all sources should be accepted by the Chairman / Executive Officer with the knowledge of the custodians against perfect documentation/ Receipt signed by both the Chairman, Executive Officer. New offerings should be kept in new boxes specially made for each one of such item with fitting grooves, shapes and compartments.
28. Jewels and valuables should be carried from place to place under tight security every time. The custodian and the drawing officer are jointly severally responsible while dealing with the jewels and valuables basically.
29. Monthly report about the jewels and valuables should be submitted to the Chairman, Executive Officer and chief vigilance Officer SSS on 2nd day of every month with a grace period of 2 days under unavoidable circumstances.
30. For any mishap at any point of time the culprit should be punished with ‘Cost recovery of the lost item from his property’ and not mere suspension, enquiry etc. that are trash.
31. When officers and custodians are changed due to transfer, retirement, death, etc., the handing over process of responsibility should ensure that every item has been successfully handed over to the successor. While handing over charge it is necessary that the other custodians/officers should be present. In the process if any discrepancy was found, he must be immediately arrested. His superannuation benefits should be suspended until liability gets cleared.
32. Instantaneous attention to be given to any loss, damage caused to jewels and valuables at any point of time and should be brought to the notice of the Executive Officer/ Chairman. The details should be recorded in the Register and computer.
33. Gold, Silver, other valuable offerings through Hundis should be item wise, Day wise recorded in a Register. The record of their weight should be recorded. They should be stored in sealed boxes along details (description, weight, item name etc.) card till they are sent for further process as per the Board’s decision. Of course record has to be maintained in the registers and computer.
34. The SSS management should be alert while selecting staff of proven ability for important positions that require honesty and integrity. Right person at the right place, would avoid nuisance to a maximum extent particularly where money in flow is more.
35. Exhibition of Baba’s jewellery and valuables to VIPs should be avoided as this practice is risky and would disturb the quite management of valuables.
36. Last but not the least the security appears to be slightly on the weaker side as the attitude of some of the security persons in the Mandir is objectionable and invites criticism. They relax and deviate from rules for personal ends. One wing of security should function without uniform and guard the Mandir. They should be tough towards the erring staff and public. Tight security solves many problems.
The authorities are requested to go through the contents with good conscience and try to become alert under the present uncertainties. Please acknowledge.
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