"Widespread corruption, favouritism" in TDB: Commission

Kochi, Dec 19 (UNI) The High-Power Justice K S Paripoornan Commission, appointed by the Kerala High Court to inquire into alleged corruption and malpractices in Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), has found ''widespread corruption and favouritism'' in staff appointments by the TDB.

The three-member inquiry commission, headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice Paripoornan, submitted its report to Kerala High Court Chief Justice H L Dattu at his residence here this morning in the presence of Commission Member D R Karthikeyan, former CBI Director.

Kerala High Court Judge Justice B M Thulasidas was the third member of the Commission.

In its 280-page report, the Commission said, ''There is every reason to believe that there has been widespread corruption and favouritism in the case of appointment of staff in the Board.'' The panel recommended that a high-level recruitment board, headed by a High Court retired judge or an administrator of high integrity, may be appointed to select the right people in the Board.

It also recommended that the administration of temples should be entrusted to non-political, eminent, active and dynamic people.

''It will be conducive to good and proper administration if a highly placed military officer or police officer of outstanding reputation and integrity, who has religious faith, is appointed as administrator, so that discipline can be expected in the set-up,'' the panel said.

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