Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, July 16

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday reviewed the systems governing the collection and management of donations at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, with the shrine board saying existing procedures ensure transparency, accountability and financial integrity.

LG Sinha chaired a meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) in Katra, attended by board members and senior officials, to assess the mechanisms used for handling offerings made by millions of pilgrims visiting the shrine.

Officials briefed the board on procedures covering the collection, counting, accounting, storage and utilisation of donations received through donation boxes, counters, online platforms and in the form of precious metals.

The presentation also outlined verification processes, surveillance measures, banking safeguards and periodic audits designed to monitor every stage of the donation management system.

According to officials, financial transactions related to donations are carried out in line with statutory requirements, banking regulations and guidelines issued by the Government of India.

The board was also informed about security arrangements for handling precious metal offerings, including their transportation, processing and refining through government-approved institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India and the India Government Mint in Hyderabad.

Following the review, the board expressed satisfaction with the existing arrangements, saying the systems in place provide effective oversight and help maintain public confidence in the management of devotees’ offerings.