Devaswom employees front flags serious lapses in Sabarimala season preps

The Travancore Devaswom Employees Front has submitted a complaint to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan, expressing deep concern over various lapses in the preliminary preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

The union pointed out that these delays raise suspicions of a planned attempt by vested interests to tarnish the government’s image. They noted that decisions causing massive financial impacts such as shutting down current revenue sources while dramatically increasing unnecessary expenses are currently being executed by the board.

The union raised concerns that this year’s decision requiring contractors to drop off goods at Pampa, after which the board will transport them to the Sannidhanam at its own expense will severely impact the movement and storage of all essential items, including jaggery required for making Aravana. They added that the scarcity of tractors, extra costs, long waiting time for vehicles, and a shortage of workers will make the situation critical.

The complaint highlights that about 28 items from the 2025 auctions were dropped on flimsy grounds, causing a loss of over ₹10 crore to the board.

The employees also demanded that the circumstances surrounding the voluntary retirement application submitted by the current devaswom executive officer who still has about six years of service left and his subsequent withdrawal of it should be investigated. They said a shift system should be introduced, and modern scanners should be installed to ensure dignity and security during the inspection of Bhandaram employees.