IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.T.RAVIKUMAR FRIDAY, THE 21ST OCTOBER 2011 / 29TH ASWINA 1933 DBA.No. 42 of 2011() -------------------- (IN THE MATTER OF TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD- GENERAL ADMINISTRATION - IN THE MATTER OF SEEKING APPROVAL FOR THE REVISION OF VAZHIPADU RATES AT SABARIMALA) PETITIONER(S): ----------------- THE TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR,SC,TDB RESPONDENT(S): --------------- THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR LOCAL FUND AUDIT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY SR.G.P.SRI. Ram Prasad Unni.T THIS DEVASWOM BOARD APPLICATION HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 21/10/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: DBA.No. 42 of 2011 PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: ANNEXURE-A : TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER IN D.B.A.NO.144 OF 2009. ANNEXURE-B: TRUE COPY OF THE PROPOSED REVISED RATE OF VARIOUS ITEMS IN SABARIMALA AND MALIKAPURATHU. ANNEXURE-C: TRUE COPY OF THE BOARD PROCEEDINGS DATED 25.6.2011. ANNEXURE-D: TRUE COPY OF THE BOARD PROCEEDINGS DATED 23.9.2011. TKS // TRUE COPY // P.S. TO JUDGE THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN & C.T.RAVIKUMAR, JJ. ---------------------------------------- D.B.A.No.42 of 2011 ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 21st day of October, 2011 ORDER Thottathil B.Radhakrishnan, J. This application comes up with the request for approval of revision of vazhipadu rates at Sabarimala. 2. Directions were issued on 12.11.2009 in DBA.No.144 of 2009 that such vazhipadu rate fixation has to be proceeded with only after taking public opinion. 3. Annexure B is the new original proposal. Initially, TDB came out with Annexure C revision without prior notification to the public. When there were objections by the devotees to such procedure, the then Special Commissioner alerted the TDB officials. Thereupon, Annexure C was not acted upon and the proposal was notified calling for objections. After hearing the public, Annexure D has been notified. 4. Having perused Annexures B and D, we wanted to see the objections that were presented to the Board. Those objections have been placed before us today by Adv. V.V.Nandagopal Nambiar, the learding standing counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board. He points out that no further modification to Annexure D is required. This means DBA.No.42/2011 2 that Annexure B rates as modified by Annexure D notification will be the rates for vazhipadu in Sabarimala. 5. The submission on behalf of TDB is justified to the extent of vazhipadu items where materials (dravyams) play a prominent role in the offering. 6. We do not find any sustainable complaint regarding the increase in rates of vazhipadu, which could be treated as of fairly costly range and those which may require the use of different dravyams (materials). At the same time, as regards those vazhipadu items, which are quite often resorted to and the rates of which are normally affordable to the common man, the increase needs to be reconsidered. 7. Looking at Annexures B and D, we think that TDB has to reconsider its decision reflected in Annexure B as modified by Annexure- D, regarding some of the items in Annexure B. Vazhipadu items, which include only poojas or some offerings etc., which would not involve any expenditure, could be considered for being trimmed down to the possible extent. Just for example, we may indicate that there may be large number of offerings of Sahasranama Archana, Ashtothara Archana, Swayamvara Archana, Navagraha pooja, Ottagraha pooja, DBA.No.42/2011 3 Vidyarambam, Namakaranam etc. It appears to us that those vazhipadu items may not require any expenditure of such magnitude which calls for an upward revision of the rates, as now done. 8. We are clear in our mind that it is TDB which would be the appropriate authority to decide on the question of making any further revision. However, this issue shall gain attention of the Board at the earliest. 9. Subject to this, we grant approval for Annexure B as modified by Annexure D. The rates as now approved will come into effect in terms of Annexure D notification, however that, any modification in terms of the aforesaid directions shall be considered without fail, within a period of one month from now and any downward revision, that may be found necessary, shall be notified at the earliest. This application is ordered accordingly. Sd/- THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN Judge Sd/- C.T.RAVIKUMAR Judge TKS/21.10.11