ALAPPUZHA: The reported move of the State Government to bring an Ordinance to control the functioning of the Travancore and the Kochi Deavaswom Boards was aimed at controlling the huge funds available with the boards, SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has said.

Speaking to mediapersons at Kanichukulamgara on Wednesday, Mr. Natesan said the corpus of funds of the Devaswom boards that remained as fixed deposits and in other accounts would be to the tune of Rs.400 crores. The aim of the State Government was to gain access to the funds, as it was going through a period of financial crisis, said Mr. Natesan.

He said the same forces that ousted former Chief Minister A.K. Antony were trying to control the Devaswom boards.

Corruption charge

The SNDP Yogam general secretary said that the Government move was an insult to the Hindus in the State. He warned that the move would have far-reaching consequences. The issue of corruption existing in the Devaswom Boards should be addressed but that was not a reason enough for justifying Government interference in the day-to-day functioning of the boards, Mr. Natesan said.

He said he would not protect the corrupt and the Government should take proper action in issues of corruption.

Will the Government bring an Ordinance to gain control over the Patriarch and Orthodox Churches in the State whose rivalry had lead to even law and order problems at several places in the State, asked Mr. Natesan.

There were allegations of corruption against several UDF leaders and even Ministers in the present Cabinet. But why was the Government reluctant to act, asked Mr. Natesan.

Boards' control

Mr. Natesan said only the Hindu MLAs in the State Assembly were eligible to elect the Devaswom board presidents and members. "In this context, how can the State Government, which consisted of members of other communities also, could control the boards? Mr. Natesan demanded that the Hindu Ministers in the State Cabinet and the Hindu MLAs in the State Assembly should clarify their positions on the Government move. The political parties should also react, he demanded.

Temple assets

The SNDP Yogam general secretary said the Governments that ruled the State had taken over the assets of the temples several times in the past without paying proper compensation. At the present rate, the Government many even try to nationalise the temples in the State soon, Mr. Natesan

opined.

He said the Devaswom Minister K.C. Venugopal had tried to implement a Rs.1,000-crore BOT development project at Sabarimala and the Travancore Devaswom Board had opposed it as it was not beneficial to the devotees. It was because of that grudge that the Minister was now attacking the boards, said Mr. Natesan.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail