LDF convener Vaikom Viswan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy-ridden Travancore and Cochin Devaswom Boards are in for an overhaul with the State committee of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) clearing the proposal for an amendment to the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act of 1950, possibly through an Ordinance, to restrict the tenure of the Board members to two years and to reserve two positions for SC/STs and women.

The LDF committee, which met here on Saturday, directed the Government to give effect to appropriate amendments to the Act taking into account the sentiments of the faithful and the relationship between the Devaswom Boards and the Kerala High Court. Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran briefed the committee about the amendments proposed. There is no proposal to leave recruitment to the Devaswo m Board to the Public Service Commission, LDF convener Vaikom Viswan told reporters after the panel meeting.

Mr. Viswan said the LDF committee had endorsed the stand taken by the Government on the status of the Cardamom Hill Reserves that while the area under cultivation of cardamom would continue to be treated as revenue land, the trees would be under the control of the Forest Department. The Kerala Government had taken this position way back in 1958 and the LDF saw no reason to deviate from it. He said the Government had been told to take necessary measures to end the dual control over the staff, including doctors, working in medical colleges and Government hospitals. At present, the medical college doctors and staff were under the control of the Director of Medical Education and their counterparts in the other Government hospitals under the Director of Health Services. Mr. Viswan said the LDF committee had also told the Government to hike the interest on treasury deposits by half-a-per cent.

He said the LDF was totally opposed to the demand that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi should be denied entry into the State.

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