Sabarimala: Kerala HC Directs Devaswom Commissioner To Act Against Employees Who Skipped Special Duty During Pilgrimage Season

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ordered the Devaswom Commissioner to institute disciplinary action against employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board who failed to report for special duty at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilakkal.While issuing the directive, a Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice P.G Ajithkumar recorded that it is the surplus income from the Sabarimala Temple. The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ordered the Devaswom Commissioner to institute disciplinary action against employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board who failed to report for special duty at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilakkal. While issuing the directive, a Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice P.G Ajithkumar recorded that it is the surplus income from the Sabarimala Temple that aids the functioning of 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." "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."