IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON THURSDAY, THE 10TH SEPTEMBER 2009 / 19TH BHADRA 1931 DBA.No. 105 of 2009() (IN THE MATTER OF APPROVAL AND SANCTION FOR PROVIDING COPPER SHEETED ROOF TO SREEKOVIL AND MANDAPAM IN KARIKKODU DEVASWOM IN VAIKOM GROUP.) PETITIONER: --------------- THE TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REP.BY ITS SECRETARY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.K.N.VENUGOPALA PANICKER, SC, TDB RESPONDENT(S): --------------- THE DEPUTY EXAMINER, LOCAL FUND AUDIT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. ADV. SRI. KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT, AMICUS CURIAE FOR OMBUDSMAN. THIS DEVASWOM BOARD APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10/09/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: P.R. RAMAN & P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, JJ. = = = = = = = = = = = = == == = = = D.B.A. NO. 105 OF 2009 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DATED THIS, THE 10TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2009. J U D G M E N T Raman, J. This is an application seeking sanction of this Court for providing copper sheeted roof to Sreekovil and Mandapam in Karikkodu Devaswom, Vaikom Group. 2. The applicant is the Travancore Devaswom Board. The revised estimate required is for an amount of Rs. 20,65,000/- based on 2008 schedule. Considering the huge expenditure involved and the necessity to take up the work, having due regard to the income from the temple and also the financial position of the Board we referred the matter to the Ombudsman for report and accordingly, a report was filed by the Ombudsman. 3. We have perused the report. It is reported by the Ombudsman that the Sreekovil of Mahadeva is of round shape and no ordinary tile can be used for the same. No contractor was willing to take up the work for the estimate amount of Rs. 16,15,000/- in 2007 and after the estimate was revised as per 2008 rate, one contractor has come forward to take up the work at 65% excess of the estimate. The Temple Advisory D.B.A. 105 /2009 2 Committee has already deposited Rs. 50,000/- as directed by the Travancore Devaswom Board as a condition for starting the work as early as on 30.10.2007. It is also pointed out by the members of the Temple Advisory Committee that the contractors were not willing to take up the work of Sreekovil and only after exerting pressure the contractor has agreed to do the work. Considering the fact that the work involves two Sreekovils and one Mandapam and teak wood and copper plating are required, it cannot be said that the award amount is in any way on a higher side. It is however informed over phone by the Divisional Accountant that there is no budgetary allocation for this work this year. 4. In the above facts and circumstances and considering that there is no budgetary provision this year, we accord sanction for including the work in question in the priority list. Subject to the budgetary provision being made for the coming year and subject to priority, this work would be taken up. The D.B.A. is closed. P.R. RAMAN, (JUDGE) P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, KNC/- JUDGE)