Former MLA A. Padmakumar and K.P. Sankaradas were sworn in on Wednesday as members of the Travancore Devaswom Board for the next two years. The members took the oath of office at the board headquarters here. Mr. Padmakumar, a CPI(M) nominee, will function as president. K. Raghavan is the third member.
Devaswom Minister Kadakampalluy Surendran, who attended the function, said that the Left Democratic Front government had in 2007 reduced the tenure of the board from four to two years, but the United Democratic Front government had increased it to three years in 2014.
The LDF government, in line with its policy, again reduced it to two years and hence the new panel was assuming office, he said.
To ensure a smooth pilgrimage, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had called review meetings and had visited Sabarimala to oversee the preparations. Health Minister K.K. Shylaja would inaugurate a new hospital at the Sannidhanam on November 16, he said.
Outgoing president Prayar Gopalakrishnan and Devaswom Secretary K.R. Jyothilal were among those present.
