Caste discrimination in Koodalmanikyam: Action will be taken as soon as report is received, says Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister VN Vasavan told the assembly that he has sought a report from the department regarding the redesignation of Balu, who was appointed by the Devaswom Recruitment Board to the post of Kazhakam in the Koodalmanikyam temple, and that action will be taken.

"It was not the devaswom president who transferred the kazhakam employee, but the administrator. An explanation has been sought for Balu's transfer to the office attendant job. There are two posts for appointing employees to the kazhakam post as per the 2003 regulation. There are also conditions for appointment. The person for the kazhakam post in the pay scale of 1025+DA is recommended by the Thantri, and the kazhakam employee in the pay scale of 1300-1880 is appointed by the Devaswom Recruitment Board. The person in the first scale is not in the service of the temple. Temporary people have been appointed for these jobs as per the instructions of the Thantris. Balu was appointed to the second kazhakam post through the Recruitment Board on February 24. It was for this appointment the Thantris disagreed with.

According to the fourth paragraph of the Koodalmanikyam Devaswom Employees Regulation Act, the person appointed to the post of second kazhakam through the Devaswom Recruitment Board is the one who must perform the work specified there. This is the government's stand. The Koodalmanikyam Devaswom Chairman has also made it clear that action will be taken accordingly," the minister replied to AP Anilkumar's submission.

Case should be filed: Anil Kumar

AP Anil Kumar demanded that a criminal case be filed against the Thantris who filed a complaint against Balu. "Untouchability is prohibited. The Devaswom approved the complaint and transferred Balu. This is extremely wrong. If they cleansed the temple (Shudhikalasham) due to this, action should be taken against them too," Anil Kumar demanded.