TDB Secretary files affidavit against Board President

Kochi, Apr 8 (UNI) Difference of opinion among members over certain matters was the reason for their non-cooperation in conducting meetings of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the Board Secretary informed the Kerala High Court today.

In an affidavit filed in response to a contempt petition, the TDB Secretary also said the Board President did not want to continue the practice of holding the Board meetings twice a week.

A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Mr Justice K M Joseph, adjourned hearing on the contempt petition to after the court's summer vacations.

The affidavit was filed in response to a contempt petition filed by the Pesident of the Kozhinjanellur Temple Advisory Committee, complaining that the court's direction to the Board to consider the matters before it within six weeks from January 31 was not complied with.

The TDB Secretary said the other members had expressed their willingness to participate in the meetings continuously until all the pending matters were disposed of.

The affidavit further stated that more than 600 matters were pending before the Board. Even though he had made sincere efforts to consider all matters as per the direction of the court, he could not do it because of the difference of opinion between the members and President and there was no wilful negligence on his part, the Secretary said.

He submitted that contempt of court proccedings may not be initiated against him.

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