1 week ago
Kerala High Court Criticises Devaswom Board Spending on Officer’s Luxuries
The Kerala High Court examined how a temple board spent money for one officer.
The board spent about Rs 28.44 lakh on repairs, furniture, household items and a new car.
The court said some of this spending gave the officer extra comforts that the rules did not allow.
The old car had travelled only 86,419 kilometres when the new car was bought.
Government rules said such a vehicle could generally be replaced only after 10 years or three lakh kilometres.
The Cochin Devaswom Board said its expenses had been approved and supported by vouchers.
Auditors still found problems with the spending.
The court ordered the Board to resolve the audit objections and report back.
The Kerala High Court criticised the Cochin Devaswom Board for spending Rs 28.44 lakh on an officer’s quarters, furnishings and vehicle.
The expenditure included Rs 8.24 lakh for civil repairs, Rs 1.32 lakh for electrical work, Rs 4.23 lakh for household items and Rs 14.63 lakh for a new vehicle.
The court said the Maruti Grand Vitara purchase violated government rules because the existing Ford EcoSport had travelled only 86,419 kilometres and was five years old.
An audit affidavit said the officer was eligible for a residential quarter, but rules did not provide for furnished accommodation or household articles.
The court directed the Board to finalise audit objections within three months and submit a compliance affidavit within another month.
- Who
- The Kerala High Court, the Cochin Devaswom Board, the Kerala State Audit Department and Commissioner S R Udayakumar are involved.
- What
- The court criticised Rs 28.44 lakh in Devaswom funds spent on an officer’s residential quarter, household items and a new vehicle.
- Where
- The matter concerned the Cochin Devaswom Board in Kerala and the commissioner’s B1 residential quarter.
- When
- The court issued its observations on August 17; the complaints before the Devaswom Ombudsman were filed in 2025.
- Why
- The court found that the vehicle purchase violated government replacement guidelines and that rules did not specifically authorise furnished accommodation or household articles.
Court and Audit Findings
Devaswom Board’s Defence
Use of Devaswom funds
Court and Audit Findings
The court strongly disapproved of spending temple-board funds on officers’ luxuries and comforts, saying the Board should show utmost care and restraint.
Devaswom Board’s Defence
The Board said the expenses were incurred under its orders, necessary approvals had been obtained and proper vouchers had been submitted.
Residential furnishings
Court and Audit Findings
The audit department said the commissioner was eligible for a residential quarter but found no specific legal provision for furnishing it or providing household articles.
Devaswom Board’s Defence
The Board authorised the purchase of household articles and furniture through an order dated November 29, 2024.
Replacement vehicle
Court and Audit Findings
The court held that purchasing the new vehicle violated guidelines requiring a light motor vehicle to complete three lakh kilometres or 10 years before disposal; the old car had travelled 86,419 kilometres.
Devaswom Board’s Defence
The Board’s budget cited a serious braking issue and safety concern with the old Ford EcoSport as reasons for allocating Rs 15 lakh for a replacement vehicle.
Key facts
- Total expenditure
- Rs 28,44,313, according to the Kerala State Audit Department.
- Civil repairs
- Rs 8,24,738 was spent on repairs to the B1 quarter.
- Electrical work
- Rs 1,32,324 was spent on electrical work.
- Household items
- Rs 4,23,950 was spent on household items and furniture.
- New vehicle
- The Maruti Grand Vitara cost Rs 14,63,301 including accessories.
- Existing vehicle
- The Ford EcoSport had travelled 86,419 kilometres as of June 4, 2025.
- Court deadline
- The Board must finalise audit objections within three months of receiving the judgment and file compliance documents within a further month.
Quotes
Kerala High Court bench
The division bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar.
“We strongly disapprove and deprecate the actions of the Board and its top officials for incurring expenditure for luxuries and comforts of the officers, violating the norms, Rules and Regulations.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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