Days after the Pinarayi-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala promulgated an ordinance cutting down the tenure of Travancore Devaswom Board employees from the present three years to two years, the Governor has now given his nod.
On Tuesday, the state's Governor P Sathasivam signed the ordinance. This even as BJP State President Kummanam Rajasekharan and Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala had written a letter to the Governor urging him not to approve the ordinance.
Earlier on Monday, Governor Sathasivam had sent it back to the government seeking clarification.
The ordinance was promulgated at a special cabinet meeting held on November 11, to amend the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions (TCHRI) Act of 1950.
Apart from cutting down the board's tenure, the amendment will also empower the state government in fixing honorarium for the board's employees. The honorarium is reportedly fixed at Rs 5000 for presidents and Rs 3000 for members.
The state government's decision was met with severe criticism from the board's President Prayar Gopalakrishnan, who termed it as an act of political vengeance. The decision came just a day before Prayar completed two years in office.
With the Governor’s approval for the ordinance, Prayar will have to step down as president.
While the Left government and the TBD have been at loggerheads for some time now, Prayar Gopalakrishnan said the timing of the decision was not appropriate as it comes ahead of the Sabrimala pilgrimage season.
BJP State President Kummanam Rajasekharan had also come down heavily on the LDF government for its action, accusing it of trying to control the devaswom board.
Leader of Oppsosition Ramesh Chennithala had also called the state government’s decision politically motivated, pointing out that there were no complaints against the present board. He also observed that cutting down the tenure of TBD employees would affect the preparations for th eSabrimala season.