KOCHI:The Akhila Bharatha Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam and Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam, Hyderabad, in a joint press conference here on Wednesday urged the Travancore Devaswom Board to take urgent steps to provide adequate facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims.
“For hiring rooms rent is charged at 12 hours basis with two persons in a room and excess two will be charged at Rs 100 to 250 per head. The rooms do not have basic facilities and a hygienic toilet. Even mat needs to be hired at a rent of Rs 10. The rooms are not maintained properly”, the office-bearers said.
“While the authorities declare the income from Sabarimala during mandalam and Makaravilakku pilgrimage they don’t estimate the expenses for the pilgrim seasons. When the TDB was approached for statement of accounts or balance sheet they responded that accounts are being prepared”, said All-India general secretary of Ayyappa Seva Samajam B Jayaprakash.
The Samajam also urged to appoint a dedicated team with a serving mind as staff for the pilgrim season instead of deputing staffs for 10 days on rotational basis which will not have any commitment and seriousness. “The Annadhanam (distribution of food) by TDB is average in quality and quantity. The TDB staff canteen and police mess also don’t provide quality food”, they said.
“The state government has been appointing their political representatives as members of TDB who are either non-believers or don’t have any respect or commitment towards work”, they alleged.