HC Appreciates TDB's New Puja Material Procurement System at Sabarimala; Central Store System to Be Extended to All Temples
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has welcomed the reforms introduced by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in the procurement of puja and vazhipadu materials for the Sabarimala temple through its central store. The court has also directed the Board to implement the same system in all other temples under its management in a phased manner.
The court appreciated TDB for ending the practice of the Sabarimala Administrative Officer acting as the supplier or contractor for procuring puja materials. The High Court observed that such an arrangement was wholly inappropriate and had no place in the administration of a public religious institution.
The Bench of Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K. V. Jayakumar said the practice violated the principles of transparency, accountability and institutional integrity. It also noted that it created a conflict of interest and increased the possibility of misuse of official position.
The court was considering a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner regarding allegations of misappropriation of Devaswom funds in the procurement of materials for the Ashtabhishekam vazhipadu.
According to the report, of the eight items required for Ashtabhishekam, milk, tender coconut and panineer (rose water) were procured by the Administrative Officer, while the remaining materials were supplied through the Devaswom store.
A report by the TDB Chief Vigilance and Security Officer alleged that the Administrative Officer charged ₹300 for the complete set of puja materials, even though only three items were purchased from outside. It further stated that no bills or valid purchase vouchers were produced to support the expenditure.
However, the State Audit Department, acting on the High Court's direction, informed the court that the Devaswom Fund had not suffered any financial loss due to the conduct of the Ashtabhishekam at Sabarimala. The department, however, recommended proper maintenance of stock records for all vazhipadu materials to ensure effective inventory control and greater accountability.
Following these recommendations, the TDB decided at its meeting on July 10 that all materials required for conducting vazhipadus at Sabarimala would be procured, stored and issued exclusively through the central store. Materials donated by sponsors will also be accepted only through the central store, and official receipts will be issued to the sponsors.
The Board informed the High Court that the revised procurement system will come into effect from the beginning of the Chingamasa Puja season.