[Sabarimala] Take action against staff who didn't report for special duty: Kerala High Court to Devaswom Commissioner

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Devaswom Commissioner to initiate disciplinary action against employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board who failed to report for special duty at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilakkal. .A Division Bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar noted how it is the surplus income from the Sabarimala Temple that provides for the functioning for over a thousand other temples under the Board. "The reluctance shown by the employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board in reporting for special duty during Mandala-Makaravilakku season at Sabarimala, Pamba and Nilakkal cannot be viewed lightly," the Court said in its order.The Court directed the Devaswom Commissioner to obtain the names of the staff in the establishment wing and class-4 employees who failed to report for special duty, other than on genuine medical grounds, and initiate action against them."On receipt of reports from the concerned Assistant Devaswom Commissioners, the Devaswom Commissioner shall initiate appropriate proceedings against the staff in the establishment wing and class-4 employees, who failed to report for special duty at Sabarimala, Pamba and Nilakkal, other than on genuine medical grounds, and the action taken shall be reported to this Court", the Court ordered..The order was issued based on a report filed by the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala regarding the shortage of employees at Sabarimala Sannidhanam, Pamba and Nilakkal..The Court had, in December 2021, directed the Devaswom Commissioner to depute 20 additional staff from the establishment wing and 200 additional class-4 employees for special duty. It had further ordered that in case any of the employees deputed for special duty are reluctant to join other than on genuine medical grounds, they shall be proceeded against by initiating disciplinary proceedings.The report filed by the Special Commissioner pointed out that the turnout of employees posted during the festival season was far less than what was ordered by the Court. .The Special Commissioner emphasised the importance of having the necessary staff during the pilgrimage season. In order to completely count the accumulated currency notes and coins in the Bhandaram of Sabarimala Temple, at least 100 Class-4 employees from 19 groups of Travancore Devaswom Board are required, it was pointed out.Out of the said 100 Class-4 employees, at least 80 employees are required just to clear the counting of pending and accumulated currency notes and coins in the Bhandram, the report stated. .The Court noted that as per the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950, the Devaswom Board is duty-bound to monitor whether the administrative officials and the employees, and also the employees connected with religious rites, are functioning properly.Moreover, in Rajani P Kuttan & Anr. v State of Kerala & Ors, 2021, a Division Bench of the Court had noticed that among the 1,250 Temples managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board, only 60 major Temples are self-sufficient and the rest are being managed utilising the surplus income from Sabarimala Devaswom.In such a situation, action must be taken against employees who fail to turn up for special duty especially during the festival season when a large amount of revenue is generated which supports other temples as well, the Court said..[Read Order]