Sathya Sai Baba was the founder and sole trustee in 1972 when the trust was instituted, continued as the principal trustee even after he handpicked other members much later and remained a trustee right up till his physical departure. As a trustee, he was legally entitled to receive donations from anyone either in cash or kind (in kind refers to all objects received). Also, he sought and obtained exemptions for the trust way back in the 70s from any statutory filings or accounting requirements. This was granted by the then state government and this report is out these in several press issues. The principal secretary for endowments stated that there are no documents with the state since there was no such requirement due to the exemptions. Since his trust was granted 20 exemptions, it was not subject to the rules that other trusts have to follow. One cannot speak on behalf of Sai Baba on the subjective issue of why the cash, gold etc. were kept in his private room. He could have kept it as an alternative means of supporting the activities carried out by the trust or for emergency purposes. Only recently the state government is re-looking into withdrawing some of the exemptions and it will be the job of the trust to henceforth account for all the properties and wealth going forward. Sathya Sai Baba was perhaps granted this special privilege by the government due to his towering stature as a revered spiritual personality involved in many free charitable and service activities.
Re: Re: Trust should clear it up
by N Sai on Jun 28, 2011 04:58 PM
Sai Baba did not give TV interviews or interviews to print media for publicity of any kind. He did not engage in any fund raising activities either and only accepted voluntary donations without publicity. nobody can name even one newspaper that has printed ads from his organizations asking for money. He did not participate in political rallies and support one party or the other. He only engaged in the philosophy of unity of all mankind and service to the poor and needy. Whats with this vitriol over cash and gold in his premises ? this is money and gold donated and gifted to him by his ardent devotees as an offering in spiritual context when one meets their lord or deity. He was considered a God in human form and not as a seer, sage or sanyasi who are bound by austerity. His numerous service and charitable activities have earned the gratitude of poor people in villages who are unlettered and unlikely to acknowledge in internet forums. One just has to go to his super specialty hospitals or educational institutions or even visit villages where his water project has quenched their thirst to glimpse the enormous impact he has had on millions of people. All these cost 100s of crores of money to create and maintain and his 30 crores in private room would not even be enough to cover for 3 months. No other spiritual leader has done as much as Sai baba did in free service to the poor in our country.
