THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Saji Cheriyan on Saturday said that 'Varada', the house of late poet Sugathakumari, was sold without consulting the government. He also said that the government is ready to take over the house.

Sugathakumari's daughter Lakshmi Devi sold the house sold while the announcement of the government that it will build an appropriate memorial for the poet was in place. Earlier, Lakshmi Devi had said that she was selling the house due to various problems, including the maintenance of the house. She also said that neither her mother nor her father had believed in material possessions.

"There is no way for a car or any other vehicle to reach the house. I decided to sell the house as I was convinced that life will not move forward by staying in that house. I have kept my mother's books, clothes and bed. I am willing to hand them over to the Department of Cultural Affairs if an appropriate memorial comes up," Lakshmi Devi said.

A ten-member committee had submitted a petition to the government demanding a memorial for Sugathakumari. Lakshmi Devi said that the memorial committee was not interested in taking over the house due to various reasons.