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Tavancore Devaswom Board to do away with special darshan facility at Sabarimala

Sabarimala temple (File photo)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to do away with the special darshan facility being given to those who contribute more than Rs 1,000 for the Annadanam fund at Sabarimala.

Briefing the board’s decisions at the Devaswom headquarters here, president A Padmakumar said the previous board’s decision to grant special darshan facility was taken with good intention. But in view of the displeasure expressed by devotees, the special darshan facility based on contributions would be done away with. No agency outside the Devaswom Board had been entrusted to collect contributions.

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Devotees can continue to pay contributions at the annadanam counter. He said besides the existing Vigilance squad under the board, another squad under the direct supervision of the board president would be set up to ensure that the temples were being administered effectively.
The Devaswom employees would be brought under an insurance scheme similar to the one being implemented for government employees.

He said the board had conducted a preliminary study on its financial position. The propaganda that there was severe financial crisis in the board was not true. He said die-in-harness appointments would be allowed in the board. 

State police, Central forces put in charge

Sabarimala: With the aim of ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims flocking to the hill shrine, personnel from the state police and the Central RAF and NDRF have been deployed at Sabarimala. There are around 1,500 state police personnel, including officers, working in three shifts for controlling the multitudes thronging the Sannidham. For the smooth functioning and operational efficiency of the security apparatus, the hill shrine has been split into nine sectors(zones).

L7 crore increase in revenue

Padmakumar said there was an increase of over Rs 7 crore in the  revenue at Sabarimala as on the 6th day of the current pilgrim season. Compared to the revenue of Rs16.45 crore as on the 6th day of the season last year, the revenue had increased to Rs 23.76 crore on the same day this year.

He also said V S Jayakumar, former executive officer, Sabarimala, and brother of former Devawom Minister  V S Sivakumar, was removed from the post on the directive of the High Court pending Vigilance probe against him.

On the Cheruvally estate issue, the president said the board would not allow anyone to steal the land of the board. He said a large area of Devaswom land had been grabbed by various people in the past.