IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.BHAVADASAN THURSDAY, THE 18TH JUNE 2009 / 28TH JYAISHTA 1931 DBAR.No. 1 of 2000() -------------------- (IN THE MATTER OF TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD – AUDIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1998-1999) PARTIES: ---------- 1. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, LOCAL FUND AUDIT TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD AUDIT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.R.LAKSHMI NARAYANAN. \ 2. THE SECRETARY, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.NAGARAJ NARAYANAN, SC, TDB THIS DEVASWOM BOARD AUDIT REPORT HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18/06/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: P.R.RAMAN & P.BHAVADASAN, JJ. ------------------------------- D.B.A.R.No. 1 of 2000 ------------------------------- Dated this the 18th June, 2009 O R D E R Raman, J. In paragraph 50(6)(v) of Part-I of Audit objection, the Travancore Devaswom Board is reported to be not maintaining any account relating to Bus fund for the year 1998- 99 and that the income received is less than the expenditure. The Board took a stand that it should be taken as a service, as the bus is often used for transportation of the pilgrims and not run with a profit motive. Ombudsman after considering the matter, in paragraph 4 and 5 has observed that, the matter requires re-consideration by the Board to avert further loss in this regard. It is not made clear as to how many buses are owned and operated by the Travancore Devaswom Board. If the bus is utilised for more trips during festival season, the income generated by running the bus service, by collecting the bus charges from the pilgrims, could perhaps improve the position of DBAR.No.1 OF 2000 2 the income. But as to whether the buses are old one and what is the amount to be spent for repairs, no data is furnished. Further, whenever bus is being operated, whether trip sheets are maintained by the concerned drivers is also not mentioned. If the buses are very old, there is no point in running the same. Therefore, all these matters will be taken into consideration and the Chief Commissioner will take a decision and issue appropriate orders in this regard. As regards the remaining paragraphs contained in the report, recommendations are accepted. Accordingly, the DBAR is closed. P.R.RAMAN, JUDGE P.BHAVADASAN , JUDGE. nj.