Scientific Measurement, Digital Monitoring: Kerala High Court Appreciates Devaswom Board Efforts To Address Irregularity In Sabarimala Ghee Sales

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was informed that in a proceedings of the Devaswom Board, various measures were proposed and taken up to prevent further irregularities in the ghee sales.

“we are satisfied that the measures contemplated therein address the major deficiencies in the existing system and are intended to strengthen transparency, accountability and financial discipline in the sale and distribution of "Adiya Sishtam Ghee". We particularly appreciate the decision to introduce scientific measurement systems, digital monitoring, computerised stock management and individual transaction tracking. These measures, if properly implemented, would substantially reduce the scope for manipulation and ensure that the revenue generated from the sale of this sacred offering is duly accounted for and safeguarded,” the Court observed.

The Court was considering a suo motu petition, initiated on the basis of a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner flagging the misappropriation, as well as a Devaswom Board Audit Report (DBAR) petition initiated on the basis of an interim report submitted by the Joint Director of the Kerala State Audit Department, Travancore Devaswom Board Audit Wing, after verification of Aadiya Sishtam ghee sales carried out during the last Mandala-Makaravilakku season.

Measures contemplated by the TDB

“One of the most significant decisions taken by the Devaswom Board is to introduce a scientific system for measuring the quantity of ghee available in the storage tanks. This would enable the Board to accurately ascertain the stock available at any given point of time, account for every transaction and reconcile the quantity of ghee received, stored and distributed with the sale proceeds. We are informed that scientific measures have already been initiated for this purpose. Such a system is essential to eliminate discrepancies in stock accounting and ensure that the entire quantity of ghee is properly accounted for. The Board has also decided to ascertain the precise quantity of ghee flowing through the pipelines to the packing machines and to install digital flow meters for this purpose,” the Court noted.

The Court noted that the Board had issued directions to ensure that the Assistant Temple Special Officers and the employees at the ghee counters are aware of their duties and responsibilities. Moreover, a decision was made to clearly define the working hours of each employee and not to deploy inexperienced officers at the counters. Further, it has been decided that timing of shift changes and transfers of stock between employees shall be properly recorded in registers.

The Board had also decided to segregate the duties so that the issuance of tickets and the distribution of ghee are entrusted to separate wings of officers and employees with an intent to ensure accountability and to minimise likelihood of manipulation in the transactions, the Court recorded. Additionally, the employees engaged in online booking and distribution portals would be given individual login credentials to track each transaction and to fix individual responsibility.

The Board added that income and expenditure registers, stock registers and other documents are to be maintained in the prescribed manner. It also decided to have frequent physical verification of the stock and proper quantification and recording of loss, wastage and damage to ghee.

Computerisation of the entire process relating to preparation, storage, accounting and distribution is also contemplated. Moreover, the Board is planning to introduce digital tracking measures, installation of CCTV cameras at counters.

Expressing satisfaction at the measures proposed, the Court directed the Board to implement the same fully and strictly. It also asked the Board to ensure that the technological and administrative requirements are put in place and that the officers are made accountable for their duties.

All these actions are to be completed before the next pilgrimage season in 2026-27 and the Board is to regularly monitor the new systems to prevent recurrence of anomalies, the Court added.

Thus, it closed the two petitions.

Counsel for the petitioners: K.R.Sunil - Spl. Government Pleader (Devaswom)

Counsel for the respondents: G. Biju - Standing Counsel - TDB, Rajesh A. - Spl. Government Pleader (VACB)

Amicus Curiae: Sayujya Radhakrishnan