Production of aravana in crisis: TDB and tractor operators at loggerheads over wages

PATHANAMTHITTA: The production of aravana is facing a crisis as the tractor contract for transporting goods to Sabarimala has not been confirmed. The wage dispute between the devaswom board and the tractor operators is still ongoing. An e-tender has been called again for tomorrow. Presently, there is a reserve stock of only seven lakh tins of aravana. The board aims to produce 75 lakh tins of aravana by the time the season begins on November 16.

However, the devaswom board explained that there is no crisis in the production of aravana. The board stated that a decision has been made to purchase new tractors and that jaggery and rice are still being transported to the Sannidhanam. Meantime, the aravana production plant has not yet reached its full capacity. The construction was started by shutting down the plant with the assurance that its capacity would be increased. It is in this context that the tractor crisis has now occurred. Previously, the contract was awarded in such a way that the company undertaking the contract, including for jaggery, would deliver the goods directly to Sannidhanam.

However, board president, K Jayakumar, intervened and decided that the company only needed to transport the goods to Pampa. Under the new agreement, the board will bear the cost of transporting the materials from Pampa to Sannidhanam. The decision was taken to ensure double-checking of the weight and quality of the materials. It is in this context that the need for a tractor arose. With only 17 days remaining, the board is trying to resolve the issue as quickly as possible by inviting a fresh e-tender.