We have nothing to hide, says Sathya Sai Trust

Puttaparthi: Amid concerns that the Sathya Sai Central Trust is being mismanaged, board member V Srinivasan, Tuesday, said that the Trust has nothing to hide and all of its functions are being conducted normally.

Rejecting allegations of any wrongdoing with regards to the Rs 35 lakh – allegedly Trust’s money -seized by the police, Srinivasan said, “The fact of the matter is that the trustees had taken a decision that a Samadhi be erected for Bhagwan Baba within the Sai Kulwant Hall. Several offers by devotees were received by Trust to carry out the work. Following which the trust decided that it will not do it directly but permit it to be carried out by devotees under its supervision.”

Srinivasan said that the Rs 35 lakh in question was donated by the devotees for the construction of the Samadhi.

Detailing the sequence of events, Srinivasan said that Satyanaryana Consultancy in Bangalore, who have been carrying out several tasks for the Trust were asked to oversee the construction of the Samadhi as a consultant.

“It was decided to call the project consultant to procure materials (for the construction of Samadhi). Accordingly, the money was handed over to the consultant in Prashanti Nilayam on June 18. The car was stopped by the police and the fund seized and it is under investigation.”

“The consultant has filed a report with the police saying that the money was meant for the Samadhi work. The donors have also filed an affidavit saying that the money was given to Trust member RJ Ratnakar for the Samadhi. The funds were not seized from any vehicle of the Trust or the trustees. All information sought by the police has been given,” Srinivasan said, adding, “The Trust reiterates that there is no loss to it.”

The senior trustee also revealed that a board of management has been constituted to take care of day-to-day functioning of the institutions controlled by the Trust.

“The three member board of management has been given necessary powers for operating bank accounts. All financial instruments have to be signed by any two of three members,” he said.

Assuring the concerned devotees of Sathya Sai Baba, he added that all financial members are being met as they arise. “Salaries of staff of university, hospitals, schools are paid on due date.”

“All statutory returns have been submitted before the due date. Donations received are being credited to the bank accounts and receipts given,” he pointed out.

With regards to the money and valuables recovered from Sathya Sai’s personal chamber, Srinivasan said, “Yajur Mandir, housing the private chambers of Bhagwan Baba was opened on June 16 in presence of trustees, management and independent witnesses. Detailed inventory of cash and valuables was taken and proceeding duly recordings and signed.”

“All cash has been duly deposited in bank accounts. Valuables have been sealed and deposited with State Bank of India,” he added.

The board, without being demanded by the income tax department, has paid Rs 9.75 crore as income tax on the value of inventory, Srinivasan pointed out.