Vazhipadu materials to be procured and issued exclusively by Central Store, TDB tells Kerala HC

P.S. Santhakumar has taken up his new role as the executive officer of the Sabarimala Devaswom under the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). His appointment was sanctioned by the Kerala High Court's Devaswom Bench, marking the latest development in the administration of one of Kerala's most revered religious sites. A native of Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Santhakumar previously served as the director of the TDB's cultural and archaeological wing. He has also held positions including that of Devaswom accounts office superintendent, TDB assistant secretary, and Sabarimala administrative officer. The transition comes amid ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of temple resources. Earlier this month, the Kerala High Court addressed concerns raised in a suo motu case concerning the procurement of Vazhipadu materials for the Ashtabhishekam ritual at Sabarimala. The court ruled against the practice of allowing the administrative officer to act as a supplier or contractor for these items, citing violations of transparency and potential for misuse of authority. The ruling mandated that all such materials must now be sourced, stored, and distributed solely through the TDB's Central Store. In response to the court's directive, the TDB confirmed that its Central Store will manage the entire inventory process for Vazhipadu items. The system will be fully digitized, ensuring greater oversight. All materials contributed by sponsors will pass through the Central Store, with formal receipts issued. Before being used in rituals, these items will undergo rigorous quality and safety inspections by the Food Safety department at the Sannidhanam. The court emphasized that this change aims to eliminate opportunities for favoritism, corruption, and arbitrary decision-making. The court also ordered a comprehensive review of procurement practices across all temples managed by the TDB. If similar arrangements exist elsewhere, they must be terminated promptly. The directive follows an earlier audit which revealed that no proper records were kept for Vazhipadu items purchased directly by administrative officers. Over a ten-year period, 31,313 Vazhipadus were conducted, yet there was no systematic record of the costs associated with these supplies. According to the TDB, the total amount claimed by administrative officers amounted to ₹93,93,900, which was fully transferred to the Devaswom Fund. Mr. Santhakumar's appointment coincides with a broader push to modernize and standardize administrative procedures within the TDB. His experience in managing cultural and archaeological matters suggests he is well-equipped to handle the complex responsibilities of overseeing the Sabarimala temple's operations. With the recent legal rulings aimed at improving financial discipline and transparency, his role is likely to be pivotal in implementing these reforms effectively. As the TDB moves forward with its plans to digitize and regulate the procurement of essential temple items, the focus remains on ensuring that all activities align with legal mandates and ethical standards. The changes are expected to have a lasting impact on how resources are managed at Sabarimala and potentially influence practices at other temples under the TDB's jurisdiction. The implementation of these measures will be closely monitored to ensure compliance and continued improvement in governance.