SABARIMALA: In the Sabariamala review meeting attended by Devaswom board minister Kadakampally Surendran, a criticism was raised that police restrictions had drastically reduced the income of Sabarimala.

Devaswom Board Commissioner N Vasu demanded that at least barricades in front of Mahakanikka (Hundi) and Vavaru nada be removed immediately. Sale of Appam and Aravana has also been affected.

The Commission pointed out the notice - issued by the Forest department to vendors in Sabarimala, asking them not to sell drinks packed in plastic covers and biscuits - had also affected the board’s income.

This time the food-selling shops are less. Food materials like biscuits can’t be stocked for many days other than in plastic covers. During Mandala-Makara season, cold water and biscuits are much in demand.

If the order is implemented in a jiffy, the vendors who have taken the contract for shops will hesitate to remit the fare. So more time should be given to implement the order as the vendors themselves have agreed to collect waste plastic covers and remove them from the forest area.

In the meeting Kadakampally Surendran instructed Sabarimala Special police officer Kuruppu Swami to assess the situation and take an apt decision on removing the barricades.

But the Forest department is unrelenting in the case of plastic wastes.

Deveaswom board president A Padmakumar, Member K P Shankardas, Devaswom Secretary Jyotjilal, District Collector P B Nooh, IG Dinendra Kashyap, Chief Engineer (General) Shankaran Pottu, Executive Engineer Ajith Kumar and other departmental heads took part in the meeting.