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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 15 (IANS) In a decisive move aimed at stabilizing the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and restoring public confidence shaken by the Sabarimala gold heist scandal, former Kerala Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar was sworn in as the new chairman of the powerful temple administration body on Saturday.
His appointment comes at a time when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Kerala High Court is probing the alleged theft and illegal sale of gold leaf from the Sabarimala temple, in which former senior TDB officials are allegedly involved.
Speaking soon after assuming charge, the outspoken Jayakumar admitted that the controversy has created a “crisis of faith” among devotees.
He said, “At present, the SIT is proceeding in a good manner. It is certainly very sad for the devotees. I will ensure that such things do not happen again.”
Reiterating that his top priority is to “restore trust”, he promised zero tolerance towards any misconduct.
“There will be no fraud now. If TDB is strong, nothing wrong will happen. If any wrong happens, it will be minimized and dealt with appropriately.”
Jayakumar described his new role as not a challenge but “a great opportunity” at a critical juncture.
Incidentally, he is taking charge just before the two-month long Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season begins on Monday.
The appointment of the 73-year-old retired bureaucrat marks a significant departure from previous practice, as TDB leadership positions have traditionally been held by political appointees.
A widely respected administrator and cultural personality, Jayakumar has earned goodwill across the political spectrum, holding key positions under both the LDF and UDF governments.
His experience with the operational machinery of Sabarimala – including earlier stints on the committees overseeing the pilgrimage – is expected to help him navigate the turmoil created by the scam.
Beyond bureaucracy, Jayakumar is also known as a poet, lyricist and screenwriter, and currently heads the Institute of Management in Government, the state’s premier civil services training centre.
Along with him, former state forest minister and veteran CPI leader K.Raju also took oath as a member.
For the state government, the new appointments signal administrative depth in the TDB and a clear attempt to bring back public confidence as it grapples with one of its most sensitive crises in recent memory.
–IANS
SG/VD