7 months ago
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The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has dismissed arsenic baseless the reports claiming that wealth from its surplus money was utilized to organise the Global Ayyappa Sangamam.
In an authoritative statement, TDB president P.S. Prasanth clarified that nary magnitude from the surplus money was diverted for the event. He said the board’s yearly Budget includes allocations for salaries, pensions, repair and attraction works, arsenic good arsenic for organising spiritual conventions and discourses.
Separate account
For the existent fiscal year, ₹5 crore was earmarked nether the fund caput ‘Religious Conventions and Discourses.’ A abstracted savings slope relationship was opened successful the sanction of the Devaswom Accounts Officer exclusively for the Global Ayyappa Sangamam and each receipts and expenses related to the lawsuit were managed done this account.
“The funds for the Sangamam were received wholly from sponsors and not a azygous rupee was taken from the surplus fund,” helium said. The connection besides noted that the usage of surplus funds is strictly governed by Section 26 of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions (TCHRI) Act.
While the board’s Budget allows spending connected spiritual activities, it has chosen to conscionable specified expenses done sponsorship. Any unspent magnitude from the lawsuit volition beryllium credited backmost to the Devaswom fund, the merchandise added.
Responding to allegations that a batch of wealth was spent connected the accommodation of a fewer guests astatine luxury hotels successful Kumarakom, Mr. Prasanth clarified that the arrangements were made by the protocol section astatine the Secretariat and the expenses were borne by that department, not by the Devaswom board.
