BKTC Minister : appointed his wife as his peon!

By –  Desk

The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), which manages the famous Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, is failing to maintain proper pilgrimage arrangements. However, its officials are leaving no stone unturned to embezzle devotees’ donations. Vijay Kapravan, a minister of state with the rank of vice president of the BKTC, is claiming a monthly payment of twelve thousand rupees by showing his wife as a fourth-class attendant.

Social activist and advocate Vikesh Singh Negi, while making the above allegations, said that the information obtained by him from BKTC under the Right to Information Act has revealed many shocking facts. He said that the officials of BKTC have turned Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, the centres of faith and devotion of crores of Sanatanis, into a den of corruption. He said that the state government has given the authority to the responsible people posted in various corporations and boards to appoint one personal assistant and one fourth class employee on personal level in case government personnel are not available. A provision of fifteen thousand rupees per month has been made for the personal assistant and twelve thousand rupees per month for the fourth class employee.

Social activist and advocate Vikesh Singh Negi said that BKTC employs more temporary personnel than necessary. However, instead of engaging BKTC personnel, Vice President Vijay Kapravan has designated a young man from his neighborhood as his personal assistant. It’s astonishing that the Vice President of a prestigious religious institution like BKTC, disregarding all morality, is displaying his wife as a Class IV employee and receiving a monthly salary of twelve thousand rupees.

He said that the government has made a provision of twenty-five thousand rupees per month for those in positions of responsibility in the absence of a government office or residence. The BKTC headquarters is located in Joshimath, and the camp office is located in the capital, Dehradun. The vice president is also allotted a room in the Dehradun office. Despite this, Kapravan is drawing twenty-five thousand rupees per month as an allowance by showing his residence and office in Rudraprayag.

Social activist and advocate Vikesh Singh Negi stated that the office and residence can only be located at the headquarters or camp office. However, Kapravan has shown his residence and office in his hometown of Rudraprayag. The office furniture was also purchased using BKTC funds. He expressed surprise that BKTC is continuously making payments to Kapravan in violation of the Temple Committee Act and government orders. He demanded that the state government investigate the matter and take action.