No loss of fund for Devaswom board; Sabarimala Ashtabhishekam audit report reaches court

KOCHI: The state audit department submitted a report to the High Court stating that there was no loss of money in the Devaswom fund that allocated Rs 300 each to the administrative officer to purchase milk, coconut water and rose water for the Ashtabhishekam in Sabarimala. The amount was fixed with the permission of the High Court, and the same was spent for the last ten years.

31,313 Ashtabhishekams were held during 2016-26. A total of Rs 93,93,900 was given to the administrative officer for the purchase of three items. Rs 300 was allocated for one litre each of milk, rose water and five tender coconuts.

However, the report says that bills are required for proper auditing and that it should be checked whether these three items can be purchased from the Devaswom main store. Eight items are required for Ashtabhishekam. Five items are provided from the main store.

The court considered the matter after the Special Commissioner informed that there was a vigilance report citing irregularities in the name of Ashtabhishekam. The audit department was also directed to examine the accounts of the last 10 years. Subsequently, the report was submitted by Rama Rajan, Senior Deputy Director of the Audit Department.

Fee for Ashtabhishekam is Rs 6000

1. Earlier, Ashtabhishekam was Rs 751. Buying the necessary items from outside had led to exploitation. Then the fee was fixed with the permission of the High Court.

2. In 2020, the fee for Ashtabhishekam was increased to Rs 6000. Out of this, Rs 300 is given to the administrative officer for three items.

3. Since they are perishable items, charcoal, milk and rose water cannot be stocked in large quantities. There is no compromise on quality either.