Date:22/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/22/stories/2008102255200700.htm

Kerala

Sabarimala prasadams to be checked by independent agency

Special Correspondent

Panel also decides to set up round-the-clock control room

Sufficient quantity of ‘aravana’ to be prepared and stored
More ‘prasadam’ counters to be opened

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The high-power committee constituted for the conduct of the Mandalam and Makaravilakku festivals at Sabarimala has decided to set up a control room and ensure the quality of ‘prasadams’ distributed to pilgrims.

The committee chaired by Sabarimala Chief Coordinator K. Jayakumar, comprising among others Travancore Devaswom Board president C.K. Guptan, members P.K. Sumathy Kutty Amma and P. Narayanan and Devaswom Commissioner P.V. Nalinakshan Nair, met here for two-and-a-half hours on Tuesday.

Mr. Jayakumar told mediapersons that the control room would function round-the-clock to review arrangements and also provide all information for the pilgrims.

Road work

Maintenance of Swamy Ayyappan Road would be expedited. Sufficient quantity of ‘aravana’ would be prepared and stored as per the board specifications. An independent agency would be engaged to check the quality of the ingredients and the prasadams. Other than providing coupons through Dhanalakshmi Bank, more counters would be opened at the Sannidhanam for distributing prasadams.

As many as 200 waste bins would be put up between Pampa and the Sannidhanam and squads would be engaged to collect plastic waste.

The waste would be squashed using a compacting machine and auctioned after the festival. Special care would be taken to prevent beggary and unauthorised vending on the precincts of Sabarimala. A resting place would be arranged for pilgrims at Sabari Peetom.