Tug of war in Guruvayur Devaswom

Thrissur: Guruvayur Devaswom commissioner and managing committee are engaged in a tug of war over the approval of the proposed budget of Rs 753.87 crore for 2017-18.

Commissioner P. Venugopal had asked the committee to reduce the outlay as the Devaswom could collect only Rs 91 crore out of the expected Rs 351 crores of its Vision 2020 scheme.

According to the statement issued by managing committee chairman N. Peethambara Kurup, due to the delay, it had issues in conducting its daily activities.

Mr Kurup said in his statement that the events like Onam feast and Ashtami Rohini celebrations in the temple would be affected.

He said the Devaswom minister needed to interfere and the next managing committee meeting would take a decision on re-submitting the budget.

DC understands there is a standoff between the UDF appointed panel over undertaking mega projects. Its members are of the opinion that the commissioner was not interested in approving the mega infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, Mr Venugopal said  he had only asked to reduce the estimates as it did not receive the expected funds from devotees and public for the Vision 2020 project.