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A bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar issued the order while considering a special report on the audit of the thiruvabharanam commissioner’s office at Aranmula, for 2015-2018. Piecemeal purchases and splitting of payment vouchers limited each payment to Rs 25,000 to avoid board sanction and compliance with the store purchase rules, according to the report. The case was posted to Oct 8.
The report had revealed serious irregularities, including non-maintenance of stock registers, piecemeal purchases to avoid sanctions, and discrepancies in the gold plating of the flag masts at Sabarimala and Sakthikulangara Sree Dharma Sastha Temple. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. Kochi: The high court has directed the Travancore devaswom board (TDB) to implement a comprehensive proposal for improving the security, conservation and storage of thiruvabharanams (temple ornaments) across its devaswoms. Similarly, the TDB’s thiruvabharanam commissioner had submitted a comprehensive proposal for improving the security, conservation, storage and transfer of thiruvabharanams in the devaswoms under the board. The court approved the detailed proposal, which aims to replace the current inadequate storage system using plastic covers and old wooden boxes with a scientific and digital system. Key features of the proposal include creating a centralised digital database with unique asset numbers and QR/RFID codes for each ornament, photographic documentation, implementing a three-layer storage system with archival pouches, trays and modular lockers, and upgrading strong room security with CCTV and access control systems. The court emphasised that thiruvabharanams are not merely valuable objects but an integral part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the temples. It was also noted that the commissioner for thiruvabharanam is the custodian of all thiruvabharanams, pattuparivattams, bharanipathrams, nadavaravus and other valuable belongings of the board. Accordingly, the court directed the TDB to implement the proposal in letter and spirit, stating that this would prevent issues relating to missing or misutilised valuables. The board can suggest modifications, if needed. Download the TOI App.