'Slight error led to misconception'; Devaswom board clears air regarding Nandagovindam Bhajans controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board termed the recent news regarding financial irregularities in the Global Ayyappa Conclave event as false and painful. The Devaswom Board, in a presser on Saturday, alleged propaganda behind the surge in rumours of financial irregularities.

Devaswom board press statement:

“The board's audit report stating that money was paid to the Nandagovindam Bhajans group is factually incorrect. An inadvertent error in the statement submitted by the event management agency to the Devaswom Board's chartered accountant led to the misconception. There was a suggestion to conduct a bhajan during the initial days of planning the Ayyappa conclave. As part of this, musician Ishan Dev was approached. The group presented an excellent musical performance with the participation of 35 people, including more than 25 artists and more than 10 technicians. The program was organised by coordinating various troupes. The cost of the group's five days of accommodation, food, rehearsals and all other expenses was Rs. 8 lakh”

The press release also denied any mention in the Devaswom audit report or the report submitted to the court by the Special Commissioner that money was spent on buying a bed for the chief minister. The board says that the figures given by the Special Commissioner in the High Court are as per the available bills, and the actual figures will be clear once all the bills are received.

Travancore Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar had said the other day that there were factual errors in the audit report submitted to the High Court by the Special Commissioner and that he would discuss with the auditor and submit a new audit report. He had clarified that the Devaswom Board gave only Rs. three crore as an advance in connection with the Ayyappa conclave and said that the board got back the amount.