Paytm Controversy: Amidst a huge controversy over Paytm QR codes placed outside the gates of Kedarnath and Badrinath to seek donations from pilgrims, the company on Tuesday issued a clarification saying it was part of a contract with the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). Was.
According to BKTC media in-charge Harish Gaur, there was a formal agreement in 2018 between BKTC and Paytm to put up such boards outside the gates of temples to collect donations from pilgrims.
“Since then, small boards with quick response (QR) codes have been put up by Paytm outside these temples. Rs 67 lakh has been received through these QR codes through donations by BKTC,” he said.
Paytm did not take prior permission
However, Paytm did not take permission from the competent BKTC authorities before putting up such boards, which led to confusion, he claimed. Paytm has apologized to BKTC for its mistake President Ajendra Ajay said.
Boards with QR codes seeking donations from pilgrims were put up outside the gates of Badrinath and Kedarnath without the knowledge of the authorities.
Superintendent of Police (Chamoli) Pramendra Doval on Monday registered a case under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code against unknown accused for putting up QR code boards outside temples in Badrinath police station and Kedarnath police post and ordered an investigation. Said.
Case filed against Paytm
Ajendra Ajay, President The chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee said cases were registered on the basis of his complaint.
He said the boards were removed on April 25 and 27, the day Kedarnath and Badrinath were opened for devotees respectively. The QR codes were installed without the permission of the committee and were removed immediately after it was brought to its notice on the day the temples opened.
Ajay said that the temple committee does not use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) mode for financial transactions.
(With inputs from PTI)
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