IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.BHAVADASAN THURSDAY, THE 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010 / 11TH BHADRA 1932 DBP.No. 20 of 2010 --------------------------- IN THE MATTER OF TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD- APPOINTING A SANTHI AND A KAZHAKAM IN KAIPPUZHA MEKKAVU DEVEI TEMPLE – TDB – REPORT NO. 48/2010 SUBMITTED BY THE OMBUDSMAN – SUO-MOTU PROCEEDINGS INITIATED – REG. .............. COMPLAINANT:- KAIPPUZHA MEKKAVU DEVI TEMPLE, KSHETHROPADESAKA SAMITHI, KAIPUZHA.P.O., KOTTAYAM, REP. BY IT'S PRESIDENT SRI. BABY NAIR. RESPONDENTS: ------------------------ 1. THE SECRETARY, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, LOCAL FUND AUDIT, T.D.B – AUDIT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. R1 BY ADV. SRI.K.N.VENUGOPALA PANICKER SC TDB, R2 BY GOVT. PLEADER, ADV. SRI. KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT- AMICUS CURIAE FOR OMBUDSMAN. THIS DEVASWOM BOARD PETITION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 02/09/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: prv. P.R. RAMAN & P.S. GOPINATHAN, JJ. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = D.B.P. NO. 20 OF 2010 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DATED THIS, THE 8TH DAY OF APRIL, 2010. O R D E R Raman, J. The Temple Advisory Committee of Kaippuzha Mekkavu Devi Temple, under the Travancore Devaswom Board, made representations to the Ombudsman pointing out that there are no employees in the Devi Temple and in the Devaprasnam held in the temple in 2004, it was found that two time poojas are necessary. Though these representations were forwarded to the Devaswom authorities, they did not respond to the same. Again, another representation was received by the Ombudsman on 17.3.2010 reminding about the earlier representations. According to the Ombudsman, as there are no replies to the earlier letters sent, there may not be any purpose by forwarding this representation also to the Devaswom Board. It is suggested that this Court may direct the Travancore Devaswom Board/Devaswom Commissioner to appoint a Santhi and a Kazhakam in Kaippuzha Mekkavu Devi Temple. DBP 20/2010 2 2. Heard the learned standing counsel for the Devaswom. Even though the learned standing counsel sought for filing an objection, since the Ombudsman has already sent a copy of the representation so as to enable the Devaswom authorities to file their comments, if any, in the matter and even the second representation was forwarded and no reply was received, we do not think any further opportunity will be given to the Devaswom Board. Accordingly, we accept the report and direct the Devaswom Commissioner to appoint a Santhi and a Kazhakam in Kaippuzha Mekkavu Devi Temple for a period of six months, subject to review to be made after evaluation of the circumstances, on a consolidated pay. Call for further consideration in the first week of August, 2010. P.R. RAMAN, JUDGE. P.S. GOPINATHAN, JUDGE. KNC/-