THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first Pinarayi government has made a landmark decision by appointing non-Brahmins as priests in Devaswom borad temples. But now it has been found that the Tranvancore and Cochin Devaswom board haven’t reported the temple priest vacancies for last 2 years and also that more than 300 vacancies were filled on temporary basis by overturning the reservation and violating the eligibility criteria.

There are over 3000 temples under the Travancore and Kochi Devaswom Boards. More than 500 of these temples have no permanent priest. It has been two and a half years since the expiry of the rank list for appointment of temple priest in Travancore Devaswom Board. One year has passed in Cochin Devaswom Board. As both the boards didn’t report vacancies the Devaswom Recruitment Board is unable to issue notification for permanent appointment under reservation. The strategy is to keep the non-Brahmins away.

After the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board came into existence, applications were invited for the appointment of temple priest from 2016. From the rank lists prepared after the written test and interview, 461 people were appointed in Travancore and Cochin Devaswom Board temples, including backward and scheduled categories.

Most of the priests who have been appointed from the first rank list belong to the backward and scheduled categories. The vacancies are not being reported to avoid inclusion of more priests from backward categories. Moreover, the authorities can appoint the people they like as well.

310 persons were appointed in Travancore Devaswom Board and 151 persons were appointed in Cochin Devaswom Board from the last rank list.