Ensure basic facilities at temples, Kerala HC tells CDB

Kochi: High court has directed Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) to formulate a scheme within three months to ensure basic amenities and facilities for devotees in each of the 409 temples under its control and superintendence.A bench of Justice V Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K V Jayakumar issued the order in a suo motu case initiated on the basis of a complaint alleging irregularities at the Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple at Kodungallur, Thrissur district. The complaint, filed by the Sree Kurumba Bhakthajana Samithi, alleged corruption in connection with the ‘Prasada Oottu', for which large sums are collected from devotees and the public, while the facility is limited to only a certain number of devotees. The complaint also highlighted several other issues, including the denial of satisfactory darshan to devotees by temple employees, inadequate provision of drinking water within the temple premises, and the lack of proper toilet facilities.The bench deprecated CDB's attitude in giving the least priority to the primary and basic needs of pilgrims despite repeated directives from the court. It was also observed that CDB is duty-bound to ensure basic facilities such as an adequate number of toilets, access to safe drinking water, proper parking facilities for devotees' vehicles, and a clean and hygienic environment in and around temples.HC directed CDB to conduct a detailed assessment of the availability and adequacy of basic facilities, including toilets, sanitation, and cleanliness, in every temple under its control. Thereafter, the devaswom commissioner, in consultation with the board, shall formulate a detailed scheme for the construction of toilet complexes for both staff and devotees. Provision shall be made for separate toilets for men, women, transgender persons and differently abled persons. The board and devaswom commissioner shall also ensure that all temples are maintained in a clean and tidy manner and the govt's green protocols are strictly followed, HC added.