IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.T.RAVIKUMAR THURSDAY, THE 22ND SEPTEMBER 2011 / 31ST BHADRA 1933 DBP.No. 15 of 2011() -------------------- (IN THE MATTER OF TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD - SANCTION FOR CONSTRUCTING VALIAMBALAM IN THRIKKANNAPURAM DEVASWOM - TDB - REPORT NO.6/2011 SUBMITTED BY THE OMBUDSMAN - SUO MOTU PROCEEDINGS INITIATED - REGARDING) PETITIONER(S): -------------------- TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REPRESENTED BY IT'S SECRETARY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.K.N.VENUGOPALA PANICKER, SC, TDB RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, LOCAL FUND AUDIT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE SECRETARY, TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THRIKKANNAPURAM DEVASWOM, PANDANADU P.O. BY SR. G. P. SRI.R.LAKSHMI NARAYANAN SRI.KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT, AMICUS CURIAE FOR OMBUDSMAN THIS DEVASWOM BOARD PETITION HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 22/09/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN & C.T.RAVIKUMAR, JJ. ---------------------------------------- DBP No.15 of 2011 ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 22nd day of September, 2011 ORDER Thottathil B.Radhakrishnan, J. This is a petition for sanction to construct Valiambalam and Balikkalpura in Thrikkannapuram Devaswom in Aranmula Group, as recommended by the learned Ombudsman since the work is essential. Thidappally is leaking and there is no proper protection for the temple premises even from animals and, therefore, the requirement for Valiambalam. We have perused the report of the learned Ombudsman. Since it was apprehended that there is probable pilferage in the income of the temple, the Vigilance Officer of the Board has placed a statement, after verification, by saying that there is no chance of pilferage. We are surprised to see that the income recorded is extremely on the low side when compared to the number of devotees stated to be coming to the temple. We are of the view that the depletion in the income for the month of July, 2011 could have been due to the fact that it was rainy period. We are satisfied that the work has to be done. We see that the estimate is prepared on the basis of 2009 schedule of rates. TDB.No.15/2011 2 2. For the aforesaid reasons, we grant sanction, as prayed for, to have the work done by authorizing the Temple Advisory Committee to generate necessary funds by collection utilising receipts which will be sealed and issued by the competent authority of Travancore Devaswom Board. We further direct that the Vigilance Officer will continue to maintain supervision in terms of the order dated 29.6.2011 and the Board will find out ways and means to ensure that no income is lost and also to have modes of providing appropriate accounting in terms of the prescribed procedures. This petition is ordered accordingly. Sd/- THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN Judge Sd/- C.T.RAVIKUMAR Judge TKS/22.9.11