IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.K.MOHANAN FRIDAY, THE 4TH APRIL 2008 / 15TH CHAITHRA 1930 DBA.No. 16 OF 2008() (IN THE MATTER OF TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION - REGARDING ALLOTMENT OF ADDITIONAL FUND TO THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KOTTAYAM) PETITIONER TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.U.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, SC, TDB SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON RESPONDENTS: THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KOTTAYAM. GOVT. PLEADER SRI. R. LAKSHMINARAYANAN THIS DEVASWOM BOARD APPLICATION HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 04/04/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: P.R. RAMAN & V. K. MOHANAN, JJ. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = D.B.A. NO. 16 OF 2008 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DATED THIS, THE 4TH DAY OF APRIL, 2008. O R D E R Raman, J. The responsibility of Co-ordinating various departments to ensure maximum convenience to the Sabarimala pilgrims reaching at Erumely is entrusted with the District Collector, Kottayam. 'Visudhisena' was being deployed at Erumely, for cleaning purposes in the previous year also. The wages in respect of the members of Visudhisena is disbursed by the District Collector through the District Medical Officer, Kottayam. An amount of Rs.7,57,440/- together with T.A./D.A. of Rs. 60,000/- was paid to the Visudhisena during the last Sabarimala Season 2007-08, details of which are given in the statement filed by the Government Pleader. There was some arrears outstanding payment for the year 2006-07. Out of the total amount spent, an amount of Rs. 2,50,000/- was paid by the Travancore Devaswom Board by its proceeding dated 15.11.2007. An amount of Rs. 5 lakhs is paid by the Sabarimala Sanitation Society, Pathanamthitta. Thus an amount of Rs.7,50,000/- was available as against the requirement of Rs.8,17,440/-. After disbursing the arrears, the balance available was 6,24,400/-. DBA 16/2008 :2: 2. Going by the statement filed by the Government, it could be seen that in the previous year some contribution was made by the District Panchayat, Kottayam. But this year, no amount was paid by them. This Court, in its order dated 18.12.2007 in D.B.A. 113/2007 has observed that the statement of the Secretary to Devaswom Board that various organizations like Erumeli Panchayat have to contribute for the purpose which calls for attention of the District Collector. Therefore, though this year, in spite of request made by the District Collector, the Panchayat Authority did not pay the amount, it is necessary that for the next year steps be taken sufficiently early at the Government level to issue appropriate orders as to how the total amount required for cleaning at Erumeli is to be made by the various agencies including Travancore Devaswom Board and the proportionate share by these agencies will be paid to the District Collector by way of reimbursement. This year, however, no such arrangement is made. We direct the Travancore Devaswom Board to pay the balance amount of Rs. 2,50,000/- (Rupees two lakhs fifty thousand only). D.B.A. is closed. P.R. RAMAN, (JUDGE) V. K. MOHANAN, knc/- (JUDGE)