Travancore Devaswom Board Grapples with Disposal Dilemma Over Expired Aravanna, Faces Rs 6.65 Crore Loss

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) faces a dilemma as it grapples with the disposal of 6.65 lakh tins of expired aravanna at Sabarimala, resulting in a significant loss of Rs 6.65 crore. The aravanna controversy emerged from a dispute between contractors supplying cardamom, leading to allegations of pesticide contamination. Despite the Supreme Court’s determination that pesticide levels were within permissible limits, the aravanna had expired during the legal proceedings. With logistical and environmental challenges in mind, the TDB has urged the government to make a decision on the disposal process, considering the approaching pilgrimage season.

The TDB contends that the government should bear the expense of destroying the aravanna, while seeking compensation from the contractor involved in the legal dispute. As discussions are anticipated at the government level, concerns arise over the feasibility of completing the disposal process before the commencement of this year’s pilgrimage season at Sabarimala.