Total Change needed in Devaswom Board- Paripoornan Commission

Panel seeks total change in administration system
www.newindpress.com

KOCHI: The Justice Paripoornan Commission report handed over in person to the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court had 79 suggestions to the government for the better functioning and management of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The commission called for a total de-politicisation of the TDB. Calling the TDB a completely undisciplined organisation, it was recommended that a high ranked military or police officer, essentially a devotee, should be appointed as administrator in the TDB to bring back discipline in its functioning.

The Commission demanded appointments free of nepotism and favouritism and constitution of a high power committee, including retired Judges, officials and suitable experts with high integrity to monitor placements.

The commission opined that die in harness scheme must be given priority and seniority and merit considered for promotion.

Convinced that the property of the temple had been misappropriated, the Commission suggested retrieving of the land by invoking Land Conservation Act.

An officer not below the rank of the Deputy Commissioner should be entrusted the job and sufficient staff should be provided to him.

The Thiruvabharanan should be regularly inspected and its office should be shifted to the headquarters of the TDB at Thiruvananthapuram.

The Commission pointed out that the financial affairs of the Board has to be handled more seriously. A chartered accountant or an officer not below the rank of additional secretary should be in charge of the matter, the report said.

Only persons with faith, strong moral background and repute should be appointed as the Shanthi, Melshanthi, and Thantri. The minimum educational qualification of the candidates should be SSLC, knowledge in Sanskrit was desirable.

The commission also suggested that the appointed candidates should be given a training for 6 months in religious rites and a syllabus has to be formulated for training.

Candidates with 10 years of experience as shanti should be appointed as melshanties. The Commission also desired that Tantriratnam degree-holder from Thantri Vidyalayam should be given preference.

The Commission recommended that the constitution of a special body consisting of retried administrative heads, member of the judiciary, former Melshanti and experts, for appointing the Melshantis of Sabarimala and Malikapuram temples.

The Commission pointed out that the many posts of the temples were being held by persons having no knowledge on religious rites. The Commission in general called for a complete change in the realm of temple administration.

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