Kerala HC Orders Digitization of Transactions at 1,450 Temples, Including Sabarimala, Before Next Mandala Season to Curb Corruption
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed that all transactions be digitized to prevent irregularities and corruption and to ensure transparency in financial dealings at 1,450 temples, including Sabarimala, that come under the Travancore Devaswom Board. Kerala Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KITL) has been entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out the digitization process. The court has asked that it be informed of how much time will be required to complete the digitization. It has also directed KITL officials to submit details next week regarding the completion of the digitization and the proposed timeline.
The court’s intervention aims at completely eliminating corruption and irregularities in temples. Officials heading state government institutions such as KITL and K-SMART were directly summoned by the court. The Devaswom Bench of the High Court had sought explanations from the officials on how digitization of transactions could be implemented to prevent irregularities in temples. Based on these discussions, the court issued the present directions.
The court has further directed that all accounts of Sabarimala be fully digitized before the next Sabarimala Mandala–Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. At present, the K-SMART system is used to provide various services to the public through local self-government institutions. The court examined the possibility of similarly digitizing various temple-related transactions. The intervention is aimed at ensuring transparency in temple-related dealings such as offerings, income and expenditure, and donations.