THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IN a bid to end corruption and nepotism, Travancore Devaswom Board will introduce draw of lots for melsanthi (chief priest) appointments in major temples.
TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan said the draw of lots would be modelled on the selection process followed in Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple.
“Through the new system we wish to put an end to the allegations that priests are resorting to bribes and recommendations to get appointed in temples where the dakshina revenue is huge,” he said.
Twenty-one temples under the board will be brought under the new system. They include the Neyyattinkara Sreekrishna Swami temple, Parassala Mahadeva temple, Varkala Janardhana Swami temple and the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapathi temple.
According to Prayar, the present board takes care of the employees well. “We have implemented a hike in the salary of all employees at an additional annual expenditure of `65 crore. Priest post was upgraded and placed just below the clerk post. Their salary hike alone fetches an additional `1.25 crore,” he said.
The TDB has decided to act tough on priests who facilitate offerings without giving receipt. “Random inspections will be held and stern action will be taken against those violating rules,” he said.
The present board has also done away with the ranking system of temples. “We felt it absurd to categorise divine abodes such a way. In the new system temples are grouped in A, B and C categories considering various parameters like ritualistic importance and revenue,” he said.
