The decision underscores the significance of administrative oversight in public institutions and the necessity for timely responses to audits and complaints.

ORDER

Anil K. Narendran, J.

The learned Ombudsman has filed periodical report No.56 for the period from 01.04.2022 to 30.06.2022.

Paragraphs 1 to 8 of that report read thus;

“1. AUDITS:

With regard to Audit Reports of Travancore Devaswom Board, one Final Report (No.12 of 2022 in DBAR 5/2014) was filed in May, 2022. 14 Regular Audit Reports and 14 Special Audit Reports are pending including 1 Special Audit Report referred by the Hon’ble High Court in May, 2022. With regard to Cochin Devaswom Board, 1 Final Report (No.13 of 2022 in DBAR No.6 of 2021) was filed in May, 2022. 7 Audit Reports are pending, including 6 main Audit Reports and 1 Special Audit Report. Audits of Travancore Devaswom Board and Cochin Devaswom Board are pending for reply and remarks and are posted to various dates for hearing.

2. COMPLAINTS:

During this quarter, 41 Complaints were received and 59 Complaints were disposed. Altogether, 64 Complaints are pending in this office relating to both TDB and CDB and are posted to various dates for receipt of replies.

3. MARAMATH PETITIONS:

During the quarter under report, 4 Maramath Petitions were filed. Four TDB Reports were filed in May, 2022, the details of which are as under:

1. CDB Report No.10 of 2022 dated 07.04.2022 in P.No.2 of 2022; 2. TDB Report No.14 of 2022 dated 19.05.2022 in P.No.5 of 2022;

3. CDB Report No.18 of 2022 dated 16.06.2022 in P.No.3 of 2022; and

4. TDB Report No.19 of 2022 dated 20.06.2022 in P.No.6 of 2021

4. REPORTS:

Altogether 13 Reports were filed during this quarter as detailed below:

Audit Reports – 2 In Complaints - 3 In Maramath Petitions - 4 In DBA - 1 In DBP - 1 In WP(C) - 1 Special Report - 1

5. DBP/DBA:

Two DBPs and one DBA were referred by the Hon’ble High Court, out of which final report (R.No.17 of 2022 dated 13.06.2022) was filed in DBA No.3 of 2022.

6. VISITS:

I had visited D.B.College, Thalayolaparambu on 06.06.2022 to inspect the premises with respect to the proposed special repairs to the buildings of the college. I had visited Pazhayannur Temple (Cochin Devaswom Board) on 25.06.2022.

7. FINANCE:

An amount of Rs.6,48,804/- was spent towards honorarium and other expenses as shown in Annexure-

A attached to this Report, during this quarter.

8. STAFF:

In pursuance of order dated 25.05.2022 of the Hon’ble High Court in DBP.No.19 of 2022, Smt.Sreedevi Padmanabhan was relieved of her duties as Secretary on 31.05.2022 A.N. Smt.Sujatha V.K. and Sri.Unninarayanan V.K. assumed charge as Secretary and Private Secretary respectively on 01.06.2022.”

Paragraphs 1 to 6 and 8 of the report are recorded and paragraph 7 of the report, which deals with finance, is ratified.

This DBP is disposed of as above.

ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE