Govt. proposes to set up Malabar Devaswom Board: Devaswom Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 20 (UNI) Kerala Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran today said the government was seriously considering to set up a Malabar Devaswom Board for the welfare of the temples in Malabar region and its employees.

Replying to questions by Ms K K Shylaja (CPM) and others, he said the government proposed to introduce a bill in this regard again in the State Assembly.

The previous government had presented such a bill in the 11th Assembly and even referred it to the Select Committee, which later, had taken suggestions from the people in Kasaragod and Kozhikode areas. However, it lapsed as the period of the Assembly session was over then, he added.

Mr Sudhakaran said the government proposed to amend the Travancore, Kochi and Guruvayur Devaswom Acts and preliminary steps in this regards had been taken.

The Minister said it was also considering to entrust the appointments in the Devaswom Boards either with the Public Service Commission or through other agencies.

The Travancore Devaswom Board had deposited Rs 215 crore as fixed deposits and it had not obtained any loan pledging the deposits, he added.

UNI CGV1340