THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has intervened to retain ownership of Travancore Palace on KG Marg, New Delhi. The cabinet meeting decided to form the Travancore Palace Management Society (TPMS) to oversee the ongoing operations and maintenance of the Travancore Palace. The government intervention came after the Travancore royal family came forward claiming ownership of the Travancore Palace.

Chief Secretary Dr. V Venu will be the president of the society. New Delhi Kerala House Resident Commissioner Vice President and Additional Chief Secretary of Finance Department or Principal Secretary will be the Secretaries. Secretaries of departments including Public Administration, Tourism, and Public Works will be members of the society.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the renovated Travancore House on Friday.

The Travancore royal family had come forward the other day claiming that they own the 14-acre land known as Travancore House on KG Marg. The royal family also asked Chief Minister to intervene to stop the construction works being carried out by the government. The Travancore House was acquired by the Maharaja of Travancore by paying 1800 rupees per acre to build a residential building. He also bought the nearby Kapurthala House with his personal savings. During the Second World War, the Maharaja of Travancore gave both properties to the Government of India for free. There is also an order from the central government that the Travancore House belongs entirely to the Travancore royal family or to a person of their choice.