Kerala HC asks govt, TDB to explain why payments for Sabarimala sanitation workers are delayed

Kochi: High court has directed the state govt and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to file a statement on Thursday explaining the reasons for the non-payment of amounts due to sanitation workers at Sabarimala, along with specific details of the amounts payable to them.HC was considering a submission by the amicus curiae for the Sabarimala special commissioner that amounts due to the Sabarimala Sanitation Society — Rs 9 lakh up to Oct 2025 and a further sum of Rs 58.60 lakh for the subsequent period — remain unpaid. It was also submitted that an additional amount of Rs 53.77 lakh due from April 20, 2025, onwards has not yet been disbursed. It was further stated that unless the outstanding amounts are released, the sanitation society would not be in a position to deploy sanitation workers for the forthcoming Meena Masa Pooja.Expressing anguish and deep dissatisfaction over the prevailing situation, HC observed that sanitation workers engaged for these duties perform essential services under extremely demanding conditions while receiving only modest daily wages. If even these modest amounts are not disbursed promptly, it raises serious concerns about their ability to sustain their already meagre livelihood. The court further directed both the state govt and TDB to file their statements in the matter on Thursday itself.