Minister hits out at TDB, HC

Pathanamthitta, May 15 (UNI) Kerala Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran today blamed the Travancore Devaswom Board(TDB) and the Kerala High Court for sidelining the government on vital matters.

Addressing mediapersons here, he said the Board did not even care to discuss with the government important issues relating to the forthcoming annual pilgrimage season at Sabarimala.

The High Court appointed its special commissioner at Sabarimala disregarding the panel of three nominees submitted by the state government, he alleged.

Mr Sudhakaran said the government would provide financial help to the Board only after receiving a formal request from it.

In future, Sabarimala would receive only the annual lumpsum grant of Rs 80 lakh and Rs 45 lakh each to Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Collectorates for sanitation work in the holy hillock.

The Minister charged the High Court with interfering unnecessarily in the affairs of the TDB and Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.

UNI XR SKB KN2000