Sabarimala ghee row: Who will pay for the Rs 2.27 crore loss in Milma deal?

Kochi: The loss incurred by the Devaswom Board in the purchase of ghee from Milma without following a tender process can be recovered from those responsible through surcharge proceedings, according to provisions under Section 32(9) of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act.

The law allows the recovery of the financial loss from the accused in addition to criminal proceedings. A preliminary investigation has estimated the Board’s loss from the ghee purchase at Rs 2.27 crore.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by SP Sojan, has begun its probe into the alleged irregularities under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. The SIT will examine, among other things, whether the ghee procured by Milma was actually delivered to Sabarimala.

After securing the contract from the Devaswom Board, Milma reportedly purchased 24,970 kg of ghee from Sonai Cooperative Dairy in Pune at Rs 497 per litre.

The SIT will also examine the actual requirement for the additional ghee purchased from Milma. The High Court had imposed restrictions on the sale of unsold ghee during the previous Mandala season, following which a substantial quantity of the unsold ghee was used to prepare Aravana.

The actual financial loss suffered by the Board can be determined only after these aspects are examined.

What the law says

Section 32(9): If it is found that the Board has suffered a financial loss due to the fault or negligence of its members, a show-cause notice can be issued to those responsible. If their explanation is found unsatisfactory, the High Court can initiate surcharge proceedings and order recovery of the loss suffered by the Board.

Section 32(10): A surcharge order is an order issued by the High Court directing the concerned individuals to repay the amount determined as recoverable.

Ghee irregularity: Crime Branch will investigate, says minister

Minister K. Muraleedharan said the Crime Branch will investigate the alleged irregularities in the Sabarimala ghee procurement.

He said the investigation would be handed over to the Crime Branch immediately after the Devaswom Vigilance Commissioner’s letter is received.

“The money of devotees is not meant to be misappropriated,” the minister said, adding that no one should expect the government to let those responsible off easily.