IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.BHAVADASAN THURSDAY, THE 6TH AUGUST 2009 / 15TH SRAVANA 1931 DBP.No. 27 of 2009() -------------------- (IN THE MATTER OF COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD – REPORT NO. 55/2009 BY OMBUDSMAN PERTAINING TO SIVA TEMPLE, ERNAKULAM. ) PARTIES (S): ---------- 1. THE SECRETARY, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, THRISSUR. 2. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, LOCAL FUND AUDIT COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD AUDIT, THRISSUR. BY ADV. SRI.KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT, AMICUS CURIAE FOR OMBUDSMAN. BY ADV. SRI.K.GOPALAKRISHNA KURUP,SC FOR CDB. BY GOVT. PLEADE SRI.R.LAKSHMI NARAYAN. THIS DEVASWOM BOARD PETITION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06/08/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: P.R.RAMAN & P.BHAVADASAN, JJ. ------------------------------- D.B.P.No.27 of 2009 ------------------------------- Dated this the 6th August, 2009 O R D E R Raman, J. Pursuant to our order dated 30.7.2009, Assistant Engineer, Cochin Devaswom Board, has filed an affidavit. The matter pertains to three complaints received regarding Ernakulam Siva Temple Advisory Committee. It was referred to Ombudsman and Ombudsman has filed its report, CDB Report No.78. In D.B.P.No.6 of 2008, this Court has directed the Devaswom Officer of the Temple to invite the Thanthries for a meeting to ascertain their views about the Poojas of the temple and to see where there is any deficiency in the Poojas. Ombudsman was also directed to be present in the meeting. Thereafter, Report No.55 of 2009 was filed and it was suggested to include one or two Thanthries in the temple in the interview D.B.P.No.27 of 2009 2 board and all Melsanthies having sufficient number of experience can be included for screening and to select the best among them. Since selection of Melsanthies are governed by statutory rules, it is an aspect which has to be considered by the Board and take appropriate decision and to incorporate the suggestions by amending the rule. Therefore, we direct the Board to consider this suggestion, as early as possible, and take steps for amending the existing rules, for ensuring that the candidate appointed as Melsanthi is well-versed in the Poojas attached to the major temples. 2) As regards the next suggestion, it is stated that the temple tank is already cleaned. Since the suggestion is already accepted, no further orders are required. 3) Regarding the repairs to be done to prevent the nuisance in the rats in the Sreekovil and Thidappally, the Assistant Engineer has filed an affidavit stating that necessary D.B.P.No.27 of 2009 3 steps have already been taken. Affidavit filed is placed on record and we expect the work to be done expeditiously. D.B.P. is closed accordingly. P.R.RAMAN, JUDGE P.BHAVADASAN , JUDGE. nj.