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Sabarimala: Ombudsman seeks court intervention

N.J. Nair

Confirms Chief Coordinator K. Jayakumar’s report
Urges court to give more powers to Commissioner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Ombudsman R. Bhaskaran has confirmed the report of Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Coordinator K. Jayakumar on Sabarimala and sought the intervention of the High Court for the smooth conduct of the Mandalam and Makarvilakku festivals this year.

In a report submitted to the High Court on September 27, Mr. Bhaskaran said the report of Mr. Jayakumar “speaks for itself” and “it is not necessary to discuss more about it.” Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran had forwarded Mr. Jayakumar’s report to the Ombudsman on September 25 requesting him to bring it to the notice of the court. Mr. Jayakumar’s report which had also been submitted to the court, had cited a series of incongruities in the claims of the board to point out the lack of preparedness in conducting the festivals and said that the board’s “overall attitude seems to be one of lethal complacency.”

He had also sought serious practical, administrative and legal suggestions to make the decision-making process more effective and accountable. The Ombudsman urged the court to give more powers to Devaswom Commissioner P.V. Nalinakshan Nair in selecting the staff to be posted in Sabarimala, including the officials who were involved in the preparation and distribution of the ‘prasadam.’ Mr. Bhaskaran’s report also mentioned the apprehension expressed by Mr. Sudhakaran about the efficiency of the board in successfully organising the festival.

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