TDB to Introduce Separate Budget for Sabarimala Pilgrimage
Thiruvananthapuram: To control spending and prevent loss of revenue, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to prepare a separate budget for the yearly pilgrimage at Sabarimala, board president K. Jayakumar said on Monday.
After a board meeting, Jayakumar told the media that the separate budget would help manage money better during the pilgrimage season and settle accounts quickly once it ends. He said an audit of income and expenses will be conducted immediately after the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival, and a report will be prepared.
He explained that the new budget aims to improve financial control, reduce unnecessary spending, and increase revenue.
The board has also decided to improve cleanliness during the pilgrimage season. A detailed sanitation plan will be prepared with the help of the Suchitwa Mission and experts to make Sabarimala completely plastic-free.
New rules will be introduced for auctioning shops during the season. Workers must have health certificates, and contracts will include strict rules for proper electrical wiring and fire safety.
Jayakumar said the new rules will make both the board and contractors equally responsible for following the guidelines. All contract terms related to Sabarimala will be reviewed and updated. A modern tender system, similar to that of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), will be introduced to improve transparency and efficiency.
He also said the pilgrimage office at Pamba will be ready by Vishu for the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku season. Special board meetings will be held at the new office.