Debtor's ledger or what? High Court expresses dissatisfaction over Sabarimala stock register

KOCHI: The High Court compared the stock book that records the assets of Sabarimala to a debtor's diary. The court also directed the implementation of a comprehensive digital inventory management system, including a property register. The court, after examining the stock book, expressed deep dissatisfaction.

Asset-stock registers, inspection reports, registers for removing, selling and repairing useless items, and distribution registers should be included in the digital system. The Devaswom bench, comprising Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K. V. Jayakumar, also directed that the documents be checked and updated at regular intervals.

The court reminded the board that it must have accurate records when spending public money. The board assured that digitalisation would be completed before the Mandala season.

Transparency must

The High Court has disposed of the petition filed by the Devaswom Board seeking permission to purchase 1000 double-decker cots for daily wage earners in Sabarimala. The audit department had raised objections to the contract for the cots worth Rs 1.66 crore. The technical details or pictures of the cots purchased from the company in Tamil Nadu were not presented. The court directed the chief engineer to ensure transparency. It also ordered that the store purchase manual be strictly followed.