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Aravana crisis: Pathanamthitta Collector warns traders

PATHANAMTHITTA: District Collector Raju Narayanaswamy has said the administration will take stringent action against those traders who fleece pilgrims at Sabarimala in the backdrop of the ‘aravana’ crisis caused by shortage of eco-friendly containers.

The Collector, along with Sannidhanam Police Special Officer S. Sreejith and Adoor Revenue Divisional Officer N. Mahesan, conducted surprise inspections at various shops at the Sannidhanam on Thursday following allegations of exorbitant rise in the price of vessels following the Devaswom decision to supply ‘aravana’ in vessels brought by pilgrims through an additional ‘prasadom’ counter recently.

The Collector found that many vessels on sale at various shops were of inferior quality. He warned the traders of stern action, including cancellation of licence and registering criminal cases against them, in the event of finding any excesses on their part towards the pilgrims.

Many pilgrims approached the raid party with vessels they purchased at exorbitant prices.Addressing an official meeting to review the arrangements being made by various departments as well as the Travancore Devaswom Board, later, the Collector said the traders should provide bill and cash receipt on every purchase made by the pilgrims. He said stern action would be initiated against those traders failing to issue bill and cash receipt to the customers. The Collector said the Health Department would launch a mobile medical unit on the Marakkoottom-Sannidhanam path. He said a male nurse would be posted additionally, besides providing an extra bed, at the Cardiology Centre at Neelimala soon. Mr. Narayanaswamy directed the TDB works department to construct barricade along the Marakkoottom-Sannidhanam path by December 23. He said the TDB should take immediate steps to ensure sufficient supply of medicated drinking water at the ‘prasadom’ counters at the Sannidhanam.

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