Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Sabarimala commissioner not efficient: Sudhakaran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran has said that the Special Commissioner appointed by the High Court for Sabarimala has not been functioning in an efficient manner.

Mr. Sudhakaran told reporters here on Wednesday that the Special Commissioner had not been helpful in apprising the court of the problems being faced by the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The ombudsman for devaswoms also had not been effective in briefing the High Court about the issues concerning the government and the board, h said. The Minister said the court appointed the officials to enhance the administrative efficiency of the board, but they had failed to carry out their brief. The government would inform the court about the lapses of those like the Special Commissioner, he said.

Earlier, Mr. Sudhakaran and Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas held a meeting to review the arrangements being made by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation for operating bus services to Sabarimala.

Mr. Sudhakaran said the Andhra Pradesh Minister for Endowments had written a letter to him commending the arrangements made at Sabarimala during the last season.

In order to ensure better coordination of various departments during the festival season, each Minister would review the arrangements. People’s committees headed by local MPs and MLAs would be formed for providing better amenities to the pilgrims, he said.

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