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Devaswom Board stalemate likely to upset festivals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lack of coordination and alleged differences of opinion among the members and the president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) are likely to upset the conduct of the Makaravilakku festival in Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple and the annual festivals of 1,200-odd temples which come under the board.

Official sources told The Hindu that a meeting of the TDB held here on Wednesday had not taken decisions on a host of issues that are crucial for the conduct of the Sabarimala festival. With hardly 12 days left for the festival, the TDB will have to make exhaustive preparations for uninterrupted supply of ‘aravana’ and the smooth conduct of the festival.

A sum of Rs.1.5 crore had been sanctioned by the TDB for procuring containers and other material for the preparation and packing of ‘aravana.’ The sanctioned funds have been exhausted and TDB officials have submitted a request for an additional Rs.2 crore to meet the expenses in the coming days. But the TDB had not cleared the request, sources said. Aravana supply was upset during the Mandalam festival owing to a delay in taking timely decision in awarding the contract.

While five key posts have been lying vacant, the TDB remains undecided on filling them. The posts of Superintendent of Police (Vigilance), board secretary, deputy commissioner (administration), thiruvabharanam commissioner, and Thiruvananthapuram deputy devaswom commissioner who holds the charge of 400 temples have not yet been filled. The officials have a crucial role in conducting the Makaravilakku festival.

Some of the fixed deposits of the TDB have matured, but no decision has been made on either renewing them or reinvesting the funds. The Thiruvananthapuram deputy commissioner has to oversee the opening of collection boxes in the temples. Also, various routine administrative matters pertaining to the annual festivals in temples are awaiting the clearance of the board.

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