Date:02/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/02/stories/2008100250680100.htm

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Sabarimala: Ombudsman seeks court intervention

N.J. Nair

Confirms Chief Coordinator K. Jayakumar’s report
Urges court to give more powers to Commissioner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Ombudsman R. Bhaskaran has confirmed the report of Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Coordinator K. Jayakumar on Sabarimala and sought the intervention of the High Court for the smooth conduct of the Mandalam and Makarvilakku festivals this year.

In a report submitted to the High Court on September 27, Mr. Bhaskaran said the report of Mr. Jayakumar “speaks for itself” and “it is not necessary to discuss more about it.” Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran had forwarded Mr. Jayakumar’s report to the Ombudsman on September 25 requesting him to bring it to the notice of the court.

Mr. Jayakumar’s report which had also been submitted to the court, had cited a series of incongruities in the claims of the board to point out the lack of preparedness in conducting the festivals and said that the board’s “overall attitude seems to be one of lethal complacency.”

“This is best illustrated by the conflicting inputs that one receives about the `preparedness’ for stocking sufficient quantity of Aravana. Neither the Executive Officer nor the Administrative Officer (both stationed at Sabarimala) seems to share the enthusiasm or the need to have a large opening stock or the desirability of changing the existing sales counter arrangements. In place of a great sense of urgency for prompt action and innovation that should have driven the board, what is visible is a callousness that has made futile many well-meaning suggestions and worthwhile decisions of earlier meetings,” Mr. Jayakumar said.

He had also sought serious practical, administrative and legal suggestions to make the decision-making process more effective and accountable.

The Ombudsman urged the court to give more powers to Devaswom Commissioner P.V. Nalinakshan Nair in selecting the staff to be posted in Sabarimala.

Mr. Bhaskaran’s report also mentioned the apprehension expressed by Mr. Sudhakaran about the efficiency of the board in successfully organising the festival.

Considering the gravity of the situation, the court should consider what additional arrangements had to be made for providing maximum facilities to the pilgrims, Mr. Bhaskaran said.