Kerala

Collector orders closure of hotel

PATHANAMTHITTA: Following a surprise inspection of a hotel at Thulappally, on the Erumely-Pampa route, on Monday, District Collector Raju Narayanaswamy ordered its closure on the charge of overcharging Sabarimala pilgrims.

The Collector’s surprise inspection was on the basis of a complaint from a pilgrim who had to pay Rs. 30 for meals in place of Rs. 18 fixed by the district authority.

Mr. Narayanaswamy said the hotel would remain closed till further orders and criminal proceedings would be initiated against the licensee.

The Collector inspected various shops and eateries at Pampa, Tulappally, Laha and Plappally and warned the licensees of dire consequences if found guilty of overcharging customers.

Mr. Narayanaswamy convened a meeting of officials from various departments at Sabarimala at the Kerala Water Authority hall at Pampa on Monday to review the arrangements to meet the pilgrims’ needs in the last lap of the Makaravilakku festival.

He said the district administration would mobilise 12 ambulances from private hospitals to keep them ready on the Collectorate premises to meet any eventuality at Sabarimala during the rush days of the Makaravilakku festival.

A temporary shelter would be erected near the Kanikkamantapam on the Pampa Manalpuram for pilgrims during the rush days.

He said the village offices at Ranni-Perinad, Pathanamthitta, Mylapra, Athikkayam, Kollamula and Vadasserikkara would function on holidays on January 12 and 13 in view of the Makaravilakku festival.

The Collector said two additional executive magistrates had been posted to Pampa and Sannidhanam.

Thiruvalla Sub-Collector Pranab Jyotinath; Adoor Revenue Divisional Officer N. Mahesan; and Superintendent of Police K.G. James attended the meeting.

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