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 17TH SEPTEMBER 2009 / 26TH BHADRA 1931 DBP.No. 45 of 2009() (PERIODICAL REPORT NO. 6 SUBMITTED BY OMBUDSMAN FOR TRAVANCORE AND COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARDS FOR PERIOD FROM 1.6.2009 O 31.8.2009 - SUO MOTU PROCEEDINGS INITIATED - ) PARTIES: 1. THE SECRETARY, TRAVANCORE DEVASOM BOARD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON, SC FOR TDB 2. THE SECRETARY, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, THRISSUR. BY ADV. SRI.K.GOPALAKRISHNA KURUP 3. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, LOCAL FUND AUDIT, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD AUDIT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, LOCAL FUND AUDIT, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD AUDIT, THRISSUR. PARTIES 3 & 4 BY SR. GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. R. LAKSHMINARAYAN. SRI.KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT, AMICUS CURIAE FOR OMBUDSMAN. THIS DEVASWOM BOARD PETITION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17/09/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: P.R. RAMAN & P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, JJ. = = = = = = = = = = = = == == = = = D.B.P. NO. 45 OF 2009 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = DATED THIS, THE 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2009. O R D E R Raman, J. This is the Periodical Report No.6 filed by the Ombudsman for Travancore and Cochin Devaswom Boards for the period from 1.62009 to 31.8.2009. It is reported that eight audit works were completed during the quarter out of which seven related to Travancore Devaswom Board and one related to Cochin Devaswom Board. It is reported that the total number of audit works completed is 37. Various complaints have been received out of which 66 complaints are disposed of and the rest are pending enquiry. 2. It is reported that the Ombudsman had made visits to various temples based on either receipt of complaints or for filing reports as directed by this Court. Those temples are made mention of in a separate paragraph of the report. With regard to the Master Plan implementation in Sabarimala, three incinerators one each at Sannidhanam, Pamba and Nilakkal are completed. Augmentation of Sewage Treatment Plant at DBP 45/2009 2 Pamba and construction of a new Sewage Treatment Plant at Sannidhanam are at tendering stage after entrusting the same to Kerala State Water Authority. With regard to the computerization, tenders have been invited but nothing has been done to computerize the Head Office and other important offices and important temples. The expenditure incurred by the Ombudsman has been stated under the head "Finance". 3. As regards the Cochin Devaswom Board, the Ombudsman has pointed out the necessity of a full time Commissioner as the Chief Commissioner is not getting much time to attend to the affairs of the Board. Regarding the electricity charges, the Chief Secretary is understood to have taken a decision and final orders are awaited. 4. The above report is recorded. The only direction that is called for as per the above report is with regard to the appointment of a full time Commissioner in the Cochin Devaswom Board as also the steps to be taken for computerisation of the Head Office and other important temples of the Travancore Devaswom Board. 5. After hearing all the parties, we permit the Cochin Devaswom Board to take necessary steps with regard to the appointment of a full time Commissioner in accordance with the statute unless the Government is able to depute a person to work as the Commissioner of the Cochin Devaswom DBP 45/2009 3 Board on full time basis. Therefore, the Cochin Devaswom Board may ascertain the views of the Government at the first instance and thereafter move this Court for necessary direction in this behalf. 6. Travancore Devaswom Board will take necessary steps, if not already taken, for computerisation of the Head Office and other important temples and the matter will be considered by the Chief Commissioner. 7. With regard to Report No. 92 already filed by the Ombudsman, referred to under the caption "visit" since the same is considered separately, no directions are called for in this petition. Closed. P.R. RAMAN, (JUDGE) P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, (JUDGE) KNC/-