Kudumbashree may open stalls in Sabari

Kochi: This season, don’t be surprised if you happen to see Kudumbashree stalls along the four-km treacherous climb to the Lord Ayyappa temple from Pamba base valley.

Among the key priorities of the new director of the Kudumbashree, S Harikishore, includes more roles for the mission during the holy season by way of running eateries and cleaning services.

For the last two seasons, Kudumbashree workers had actively participated in the no-plastic campaign that got accolades from various quarters. The member's station themselves at Laha and Kalamala en route to Pamba and with the help of forest officials check vehicles of pilgrims for plastic bags. They would instead provide them with eco-friendly jute bags.

“We’re holding talks with the Devaswom Board over the Mission putting stalls and also request them to avail the service of the Mission in cleaning services. If permitted, we’ll deploy women over 50 years of age there. This will also go a long way in preventing exploitation of pilgrims by traders, a major complaint every year,” Mr Harikishore said.

The plan comes even as there are demands from various quarters that the TDB should do away with the present system of auctioning off space for commercial eateries. They cite the traders would indulge in fleecing pilgrims just to recover the massive investment.

“Instead, the board should provide more space for providing free food for pilgrims by voluntary organisations like the Ayyappa Seva Sangham or setting up stalls by government organisations where food articles can be bought for a fair price,” said Kummanam Rajasekharan, state BJP president.

The new Kudumbashree director also plans to generate employment in a major way by tying up with the railways for its e-catering in all major stations and also taking up parking management contracts of more stations.