THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister V S Sivakumar has said in the Assembly that the present government has expended Rs 231.38 crore from its exchequer for the benefit of various temples in Kerala and Devaswom boards.
In reply to V S Satheesan’s submission, the minister said the allegation that the income from temples including Sabarimala was being deposited in the government treasury and spent for various other purposes is not true.
“From temples including Sabarimala, not even a single rupee is being transferred to the government treasury. And on the other hand, crores of rupees are spent for these temples from the government treasury.”
“The income from temples under Travancore/Kochi Devaswom boards is deposited in their respective boards’ accounts and the income from Guruvayur/Koodalmanikyam Devaswoms is deposited in the accounts of the respective temples’ bank accounts. It is the auditors appointed by the high court who are bookkeeping the income/expenditure details of Travancore/Kochi Devaswom boards. Local Fund department is in charge of the auditing of the funds of temples under Malabar Devaswom Board and Kodalmanikyam/Guruvayur Devaswoms. Since the above audit reports are accessible to the public, one can examine and see that the income from temples is used for their purpose only,” Sivakumar explained.
He further said: “The government spent Rs 106.30 crore for Travancore Devaswom Board for various temples including Sabarimala; Rs 2 crore for Kochi Devaswom board and Rs 60.31 for Malabar Devaswom board. For installing security arrangements at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Rs 62.18 core and Rs 50 lakh for Koodalmanikyam Devaswom have been allotted by the government. When the Chamravattom temple on Malappuram district was damaged in fire, the government sanctioned Rs 5 lakh for its renovation. It also granted Rs Four lakh for the renovation of Chovvalloor temple.”
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