The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Ombudsman for steps to mobilise funds

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 06, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Ombudsman for steps to mobilise funds

Special Correspondent

Implementation of Sabarimala master plan without delay

Approximate amount for master plan is Rs.500 crore
Donors will get 50 per cent income tax exemption

Kochi: The Ombudsman for Travancore and Cochin Devaswom Boards R. Bhaskaran has called for urgent steps to mobilise funds for implementing the Sabarimala master plan.

In a report submitted to the Kerala High Court on Monday, Mr. Bhaskaran said the approximate amount for the implementation of the master plan came to Rs.500 crore. Though a trust was registered in 2009 and the Sabarimala Master Plan Infrastructure Fund created, the trustees or patrons had not met so far.

The preparation of layout plans for the Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilackal and the construction of a ropeway and queue complex were in progress.

Karnataka gesture

The Devaswom Commissioner had informed the Ombudsman that the Karnataka government had set apart Rs.5 crore in the State budget for Sabarimala pilgrims, probably for providing facilities to pilgrims from the State.

Donors to the fund would get 50 per cent Income Tax exemption. The Ombudsman suggested that a directive be issued for putting up advertisements in the media on the income tax exemption. Besides, he sought a directive to the State government to nominate a reputed administrator to the trust. He suggested that a person well versed in financial matters suggested by the Chief Commissioner and the Devaswom Commissioner and decided by the High Court be included as a patron so that sponsors for the ropeway and queue complex could be identified.

The Ombudsman also sought a directive to convene a meeting of the trust and patrons so that the activities of the trust could be streamlined and the master plan implemented without delay.

Proposal for dam

In another report, the Ombudsman suggested a study on a proposal to construct a dam at Kunnar, located 12 km from the Sannidhanam. The Ombudsman said that he was told that the Forest Department had allotted seven acres to the Travancore Devaswom Board for constructing a dam near the existing dam. There was a suggestion that water scarcity could be solved by increasing the height of the existing dam at Kunnar. However, executive engineer in charge of Sabarimala Jolly Ullas told the Ombudsman that there was no possibility of getting more water by increasing the height of the dam.

The Ombudsman suggested that a proper study be made on the project and, if viable, it should be implemented within a time schedule.

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

Kerala