IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON THURSDAY, THE 29TH OCTOBER 2009 / 7TH KARTHIKA 1931 DBA.No. 115 of 2009() --------------------- (IN THE MATTER OF TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION - IN THE MATTER OF INCREASING THE PRICE OF MODAKKAM SOLD AT PAMPA) PETITIONER: TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REP.BY ITS SECRETARY,NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-3. BY ADV. SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON RESPONDENT THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LOCAL FUND ACCOUNTS,TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, NANTHANCODE,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-3. SR. GOVT. PLEADER SRI. R. LAKSHMINARAYAN. SRI. KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT, AMICUS CURIAE FOR OMBUDSMAN. THIS DEVASWOM BOARD APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29/10/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: P.R. RAMAN & P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, JJ. = = = = = = = = = = = = == == = = = D.B.A. NO. 115 OF 2009 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DATED THIS, THE 29TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2009. O R D E R Raman, J. This is an application made by the Travancore Devaswom Board seeking permission to increase the price of Modakam and to sell Modakam at Pampa Ganapathy Temple at the rate of Rs. 20 per packet containing 8 Modakam. 2. The application is supported by an affidavit. It is averred that at present a packet of five Modakam is sold for Rs. 10/- and having due regard to the increase in the cost of commodities, it has become necessary to make a slight increase in the price of Modakam. While proposing the increase of price from Rs. 10/- to Rs.20/-, increase in the number of Modakams in a packet from 5 to 8 is also suggested. 3. The matter was referred to Ombudsman who submitted his report after considering the details of the expenditure ( though not submitted in the affidavit). It is pointed out by the Ombudsman that the cost of one Koottu of Modakam will come around to Rs. 3,000/- and the selling price of Modakam at present is only Rs. 2,400/- and so, the DBA 115/2009 2 request for increase in price is reasonable. It is suggested to make a slight increase in the price of Modakam and to permit the Board to sell one packet containing five Modakam for Rs. 15/-. When worked out on that basis, the price of one Modakam will come to Rs. 3/- whereas the proposal made by the Board is Rs. 2.50 per Modakam. 4. Having considered the matter, we feel that Modakam is sold as prasadam in the Pampa Ganapathy Temple and most of the devotees coming from various parts of the country are benefited. In the facts and circumstances, we feel that while accepting that some increase should be made, it will be in the larger interest of all concerned to fix the price at Rs. 15 per packet containing six Modakam. So however, the Devaswom shall ensure the quality and size. Sanction is accorded subject to the above. P.R. RAMAN, (JUDGE) P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, (JUDGE) KNC/-