More than 20 employees responsible for counting cash offerings at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya have resigned, protesting a reduction in salaries and increased working hours, according to sources. Of the 36 staff members in the counting department, only 13 reported for duty on Thursday.
Mass resignation disrupts temple operations
The resignations have created a staffing crisis at the temple trust, which manages the counting of donations and offerings from devotees. Sources indicated that the employees were unhappy with recent changes to their compensation and work schedules.
Salary and hour disputes cited
The employees alleged that their salaries were reduced without prior notice, while their daily work hours were extended. The trust had reportedly implemented new policies to streamline operations, but staff found them unfavorable.
“We were not consulted about the changes. The salary cut was sudden, and the workload became unmanageable,” a former employee said on condition of anonymity.
Impact on temple revenue management
The Ram Mandir receives substantial cash offerings daily, and the counting process is critical for accounting and transparency. With only 13 employees present, the trust may face delays in tallying donations.
The temple trust has not yet issued an official statement on the resignations. Efforts are underway to hire replacements or negotiate with the remaining staff to ensure smooth operations.
