Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

‘Bid to scuttle Aravana supply’

Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran

PATHANAMTHITTA: Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran has said certain unholy quarters are trying to disrupt the otherwise smooth Aravana distribution at Sabarimala.

Mr. Sudhakaran was inaugurating a service centre for Sabarimala pilgrims, sponsored by Pathanamthitta District Cooperative Bank (PDCB), at the KSRTC bus station here on Sunday afternoon.

The unexpected drop in the Aravana buffer stock to mere 8 lakh cans on Saturday, disregarding his direction to maintain a buffer stock of 10 lakh cans by December 1 and 15 lakh cans by December 5, hinted at a conspiracy to scuttle Aravana distribution as in the previous year, he alleged.

Mr. Sudhakaran said his direction to purchase 10 more manual filling units for Aravana too was partially implemented for reasons best known to the authorities concerned. Board officials at Sabarimala had purchased only seven manual packing units, of which three were said to have been not functioning, he said.

Mr. Sudhakaran said several prominent people, including former Supreme Court judge K.S. Paripoornan, had expressed satisfaction in the quality of Aravana this year. The TDB as well as the High Power Committee appointed by Kerala High Court have taken extra care to ensure the quality of Aravana as well as its hassle-free distribution, he added.

Mr. Sudhakaran said the high power committee as well as TDB should seriously probe into the alleged move by certain quarters to create a crisis in Aravana production and distribution at Sabarimala and take stern action against those involved.

Mr. Sudhakaran said the government was bound to ensure a smooth pilgrimage to all pilgrims visiting Sabarimala.

The Minister also criticised the direction of Special Commissioner M. Rajendran Nair that denied permission to transport goods in tractors from Pampa to the Sannidhanam.

It is noteworthy that the Special Commissioner had directed the TDB officials not to permit tractors on the trekking path on the basis of a High Court order in this regard, earlier.

The PDCB will supply medicated drinking water, black coffee and snacks through its service centre to pilgrims during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season.

K. Sivadasan Nair, MLA, presided over the inaugural function. P.C. Sanalkumar, District Collector, inaugurated the free snack counter on the occasion. PDCB president R. Sanalkumar and general Manager M.P. Gopalakrishna Pillai also spoke. The centre has also made arrangements for free mobile phone charging facility to pilgrims, according to Mr. Sanalkumar.

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