Kochi: There is no rift between the LDF government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and all measures have been taken to ensure a smooth pilgrimage season at Sabarimala, Devaswom and Power Minister Kadakampally Surendran said on Friday. “Whether we are believers or not, the government is committed to provide and ensure facilities for believers who visit the shrine,” he said in the assembly while dismissing charges of attempt to infringe upon powers of TDB, which manages the major temples.
Earlier, BJP MLA O Rajagopal raised the issue through a calling attention motion and alleged that the CPI(M)-led LDF government ‘lacked interest’ to beef up facilities, may be because they are ‘non-believers’. “There is no difference of opinion between the government and the TDB,” the minister said. Giving details of the facilities, Surendran said nearly 40 lakh tins of 'Aravana', the main prasadam at the temple, will be ready on the day of opening of the shire on November 15.
More than 100 kiosks will be opened all along the trekking path from Pamba to Sannidhanam to provide drinking water to pilgrims. Also the Health centres at the hill-shrine have been equipped with equipment to meet emergency situation. On demands of handing over the right to lighten ‘Makara Jyoti’ to tribals in the region as in ancient times, the minister said the government is examining the same.
