Appams should be made in hygienic place, says court

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court observed that even if the number of appams made in Sabarimala is less, it should be made in hygienic place and there is no compromise in that. The court made the statement while going through the devaswom board’s explanation in connection with the fungus infected appam issue.

The report submitted by the food safety department has not claimed the presence of any poisonous fungi in the appam. The department said the appams got spoiled as the quantity of yeast was high.

The court directed the food safety department to examine the appams and aravana made once in every four hours.

The court said devaswom chief commissioner K Jayakumar has complete power in Sabarimala. Meantime, the board can decide on the policy matters. The mandala-makaravilakku festive season should be conducted under the guidance of Jayakumar, the court pointed out.

Most Sabarimala pilgrims, after paying obeisance to the presiding deity, make sure they return with the temple prasadam which consists of the appam and "aravana" (a variety of payasam).

Following media reports of the contaminated appam, the temple authorities last week destroyed huge quantities of it.

When the media reported about the spoilt appam being supplied, the TDB authorities contested the claims. The court while lauding the media dismissed the TDB's prayer to rein in the media for spreading "baseless news".

The TDB was reconstituted recently by the Oommen Chandy government and till then K.Jayakumar, who recently retired as the state chief secretary, was its chief commissioner.

After the new board took over, Jayakumar relinquished his post, but the court Tuesday asked him to continue till the present season is over.