Vigilance inquiry on Sabarimala mess

 Kochi, Feb 03

The Kerala High Court has directed the Director of Vigilance to hold an inquiry in to the accounts maintained by the Travancore Devaswom Board relating to the running of its mess at Sabarimala Sannidhanam and Pampa during 2003-04 and 2004-05.

The division bench consisting of Justice R Bhaskaran and Justice Sasidharan Nambiar said that they were not happy with the manner in which the mess registers were maintained. “We do not want to elaborate on figures as a inquiry is to be made” the Bench said adding “we cannot be mute spectators when the account related to the devaswom funds are found to be not in order”.

The Bench has also said that the present system of providing food for the employees and VIPs by the administrative officer should be done away with. The Court has directed the TDB and the state government to inform the Court on the subject and also their position on the present system of running the mess for those on special duty incurring over Rs 1.5 crore.