SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This DBP is registered suo motu, in terms of the directions contained in the judgment of this Court dtd. 25/3/2024 in O.P.No.3821 of 1990, in the matter of Travancore Devaswom Board and Cochin Devaswom Board - regarding the constitution of High Power Committee for Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan, appointment of Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, appointment of Ombudsman for Travancore Devaswom Board and Cochin Devaswom Board and also matters in relation to the appointment of Chief Commissioner, in the absence of an elected Board in the Travancore Devaswom Board and Cochin Devaswom Board and also the appointment of Devaswom Commissioners. O.P.No.3821 of 1990 was registered suo motu, vide order dtd. 11/4/1990, in the matter of Travancore Devaswom Board and Cochin Devaswom Board, on the illegalities, embezzlements and irregularities in the administration noticed during the consideration of audit reports.

(2.) On 25/5/2024, when this DBP came up for consideration, this Court noticed that the post of Devaswom Commissioner in Travancore Devaswom Board is lying vacant. The learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board submitted that the Board has already made a requisition before the 1st respondent State for the deputation of an Additional Secretary to the Government from the Administrative Secretariate. The learned Senior Government Pleader submitted that the said requisition is pending consideration before the Government.

(3.) On 31/5/2024, along with a memo filed by the learned Senior Government Pleader, the panel containing the names of two Additional Secretaries to Government from the Administrative Secretariate, for appointment on deputation basis as the Devaswom Commissioner, Travancore Devaswom Board, was placed on record. The learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board sought time to get instructions.