Kerala High Court
Unknown vs Parties/ on 20 October, 2014
Author: P.B.Suresh Kumar
Bench: P.N.Ravindran, P.B.Suresh Kumar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.N.RAVINDRAN
&
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR
MONDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2014/28TH ASWINA, 1936
SSCR.No. 16 of 2014 ()
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IN THE MATTER OF TDB - SABARIMALA - SM REPORT NO.53 OF 2014
PARTIES/RESPONDENTS :
1. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY.
BY ADV. SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON, S.C., TDB.
2. STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY CHIEF SECRETARY.
BY GOVT. PLEADER SRI.A.RENJITH.
ADV.SRI.KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT, A/C. FOR OMBUDSMAN.
THIS SABARIMALA SPECIAL COMMISSIONER REPORT HAVING BEEN
FINALLY HEARD ON 20-10-2014, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE
FOLLOWING:
P.N.RAVINDRAN & P.B.SURESH KUMAR, JJ.
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S.S.C.R. No.16 of 2014
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Dated 20th October, 2014.
O R D E R
P.B.Suresh Kumar, J.
This is a report submitted by the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala dated 14.10.2014. The following directions are sought in the report :
(a) The Commissioner and Joint Commissioner of Food Safety may be directed to carry on strict vigilance over any article of food including Prasadam;
(b) The Travancore Devaswom Board may be directed to strictly comply with the directions issued by the Food Safety Commissionerate;
(c) The Travancore Devaswom Board may be further directed to instruct the Special Officers in charge of preparation of Aravana and Appam to regulate the process of preparation of Prasadams strictly in accordance with the advice given by the officers of the Food Safety Department.
(d) The Travancore Devaswom Board may also be directed to maintain the godowns at Pampa and Sabarimala for storing raw materials in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Food Safety Commissionerate;
(e) The Food Safety Commissioner may be directed to monitor the activities of the present team of analysists led by the SSCR 16 of 2014 2 Research Officer now appointed, from time to time, by retaining the team throughout the season.
2. The learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board has submitted that instructions have been issued to the Special Officers-in-charge of the preparation of Aravana and Appam to regulate the process of preparation of Prasadams strictly in accordance with the directions given by the officers of the Food safety Department of the Government. He has also submitted that instructions have been issued to the officers concerned to maintain the godowns for storing the food articles at Pampa and Sabarimala also, in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Food Safety Department.
3. The learned Government Pleader, on instructions submitted that instructions issued by this Court in relation to the affairs of Sabarimala temple have been implemented by the Food Safety Department meticulously and the Department is fully equipped to undertake all the services needed for ensuring the quality of Holy Prasadams and food articles supplied at Sabarimala. A letter addressed by the Commissioner of Food Safety, Kerala, to the learned Government Pleader dated 18.10.2014 was made available to us, which recites thus :
SSCR 16 of 2014 3
"I may also inform that the food safety department will comply all the suggestions and directions contained in the report of the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala. The following may kindly be noted in this regard.
(i) It is decided to carry out more frequent inspections of godowns in Pampa and Sannidhanam at Sabarimala. Directions were already given to the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, Pathanamthitta to conduct frequent inspections and to report the same to the Commissioner of Food Safety.
(ii) Directions for proper maintenance of godowns in Pampa and Sannidanam at Sabarimala will be issued to the Travancore Devaswom Board.
(iii) Food Safety Labs will start functioning from 20th October, 2014 onwards under the control of Sri.G.Gopakumar, Research Officer under this department.
(iv) Surveillance and inspections of all food business establishments will start in November, 2014 i.e., during the Mandala Makara Vilakku Season.
(v) Special Enforcement Squads will start functioning in Sannidhanam, Pampa, Outer Pampa and Erumeli from 15th November 2014 to ensure that quality food articles are supplied to pilgrims. Joint Food Safety Commissioner (Enforcement)will monitor the squad work. In addition to this, the towns in-route will be under surveillance.
(vi) Joint Food Safety Commissioner (Administration & Legal) assisted by a Research Officer will monitor the entire food safety activities including functioning of Food Safety Labs, lifting SSCR 16 of 2014 4 of samples of `Appam/Aravana' and other Vazhipadu articles/Annadanam and offering/godown related activities during the entire Mandala Makaravilakku seasons, monthly Poojas as and when necessary."
We record the submissions made by the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board and the learned Government Pleader as aforesaid, and close this Report, directing the Commissioner of Food Safety, Government of Kerala, to ensure that the directions issued in the letter dated.18.10.2014 are scrupulously implemented.
Sd/-
P.N.RAVINDRAN, JUDGE.
Sd/-
P.B.SURESH KUMAR, JUDGE.
tgs (true copy)