Sabarimala Ghee Irregularities: Devaswom Board Officials’ Role Must Also Be Investigated; Vigilance Submits Final Report
Pathanamthitta: The Devaswom Vigilance has submitted its final investigation report into the alleged irregularities in the procurement and transportation of ghee to Sabarimala, recommending a detailed further investigation. The report was handed over by Devaswom Vigilance SP M.J. Sojan to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
The report has raised serious concerns over the handling and transportation of ghee procured from Milma. According to the findings, the ghee was allegedly replaced while being transported to Sabarimala, before it reached Sannidhanam. The report also concludes that the entire quantity ordered did not reach the temple.
The Vigilance suspects that the ghee was replaced en route from the Pathanamthitta dairy to Sannidhanam. It has also flagged the unusually low amount quoted by the contractor for transporting the ghee as suspicious and called for a detailed probe into the circumstances surrounding the contract.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is expected to examine the Vigilance findings in detail, including the possible involvement of Devaswom Board officials. The report also found that the ghee, after reaching Pampa, was transported to Sannidhanam without undergoing the required inspection.
The investigation was conducted under the leadership of Devaswom Vigilance SP M.J. Sojan. Former TDB president P.S. Prashanth, former board member A. Ajikumar and Murari Babu are named as accused in the case. However, none of them has been questioned so far. The Vigilance has estimated the financial loss to the Devaswom Board at ₹2.27 crore.
The SIT's preliminary assessment is that irregularities were allegedly committed under the leadership of P.S. Prashanth to facilitate the award of the ghee procurement contract to Milma.
The Board had decided in 2024 to procure ghee from outside for the 2025 Makaravilakku season. Six firms participated in the tender process. However, while the tender proceedings were underway, the tender was cancelled and the contract was subsequently awarded to Milma.
The then Administrative Officer, Murari Babu, had recommended giving preference to Milma, citing the lower quantity of ghee required for preparing Aravana using Milma ghee. While approximately 10 litres of regular ghee was required to prepare one batch of Aravana, only seven to 7.5 litres of Milma ghee was reportedly required.
Although the Devaswom Commissioner opposed the proposal, P.S. Prashanth and board member A. Ajikumar decided to proceed with the award of the contract to Milma, overruling the objection.
The Vigilance also found a significant difference in the rates quoted by the bidders. A Tamil Nadu-based firm that participated in the tender had quoted ₹369 per litre, whereas the Board procured ghee from Milma at ₹510 per litre.
The Devaswom Vigilance concluded that the procurement of 1.65 lakh litres of ghee from Milma resulted in an estimated loss of ₹2.27 crore to the Travancore Devaswom Board.