Sabarimala ghee deal: Former Devaswom employee helped sideline lowest bidder, favour Milma

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance has found that a former Devaswom Board employee and dairy cooperative member acted as an intermediary in the Sabarimala ghee deal. He allegedly facilitated discussions between senior Board officials and some Milma officials as part of the conspiracy, according to the Vigilance findings.

Though he had not held any high-ranking positions, the former employee had close ties with senior officials of the Board. He began his career as a temple employee and retired as an officer before later taking charge of a key position in the Thiruvananthapuram regional union.

He acted as an intermediary to exclude those who had participated in the tender and facilitate the award of the contract to Milma, which had not participated in the tender. The contract was finalised after discussions between him and senior Board officials without the knowledge of the Milma managing director.

The purchase from Milma, after excluding Kungumaraj Dairy, which had quoted the lowest amount in the tender, was part of the conspiracy, according to the findings. The Vigilance will examine his bank accounts.
Board employees were also involved in the irregularities, according to the investigation. Those working at Sabarimala are also within the scope of the probe.

The Vigilance registered an FIR naming the Devaswom Vigilance SP, who conducted the preliminary inquiry, as the complainant.
The Vigilance will proceed with further action after taking former Board president P.S. Prashanth and former member Ajikumar into custody and questioning them. Both are currently in remand in connection with the gold plate case.

Current Board member P.D. Santhosh Kumar was part of the Board at the time, but the Vigilance has found that he did not participate in the discussions with Milma.