Major irregularities in procurement at Sabarimala main store; Findings of fraud purchases worth lakhs 

PATHANAMTHITTA: A vigilance investigation has uncovered major irregularities in procurement at the Sabarimala Main Store, with the Travancore Devaswom Board estimated to have suffered a loss of nearly Rs 10 lakh between 2017 and 2020. The findings, which emerged from a 2021 devaswom vigilance inquiry, were part of an investigation into complaints against the then main store superintendent, S Manu.

Reports say stock registers allegedly showed twice the quantity of materials actually required, raising concerns over inflated procurement. The inquiry also found that five times the required quantity of materials had been purchased for the Ashtabhishekam offering.

During a surprise inspection conducted by the vigilance team in 2020, officials reportedly found unaccounted honey and other materials used in the preparation of Aravana prasadam at the main store. The report further alleged financial irregularities in the procurement process, stating that a substantial quantity of materials supplied for Aravana packaging had been marked as damaged, leading to suspected financial fraud.

The vigilance findings have raised fresh questions over procurement practices and inventory management at one of the state's most prominent pilgrimage centres. Further action is expected based on the report's recommendations.