Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Sabarimala: more funds for security

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Cooperation and Devaswom G. Sudhakaran has directed various departments to submit projects for urgent implementation at Sabarimala before August 10.

Presiding over a review meeting on arrangements for the Sabarimala festival, the Minister said that road works would be completed before the season. Rs.25 crore would be sanctioned for this.

Mr. Sudhakaran said the police would be provided with modern equipment costing Rs.1 crore to provide strong security during the festival.

Trouble-free arrangements would be made for sanitation. Steps would also be taken to clear the arrears due to the Kerala Water Authority.

He said a committee chaired by the Chief Secretary would settle disputes over implementation of the Sabarimala Master Plan.

A conference of Ministers of Home, Water Resources, Forest, Transport, Public Works, Revenue and Power would be convened to ensure coordination of different departments.

The Minister said that only the best and dependable officials of the Devaswom Board should be deputed on duty to Sabarimala during the season. Those who had been subjected to punitary action should not be deputed to Sabarimala under any circumstance.

He said that about 5 crore pilgrims were expected to reach Sabarimala this year. Last year, the revenue from Sabarimala was Rs.100 crore, up by Rs. 20 crore over the previous year’s. The expenditure was brought down by Rs.12 crore through strong interventions by the Government. Steps were needed to ensure transparency and financial discipline.

He said that while plastic would remain banned at Sabarimala, plastic water bottles would be allowed. These should be deposited only at specified locations.

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