Sabarimala Shop Auction Cancelled After Tender Details Leak, TDB to Invite Fresh Bids
TDB has cancelled the e-auction for 110 Sabarimala shops after bidder details leaked, and will invite fresh tenders amid delays in pilgrimage preparations.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has cancelled the e-auction meant to allot operating rights for 110 shops at the Sabarimala hill temple, after finding that the confidentiality of the tender process had been breached.
The auction had been scheduled for September 29. In a statement, the board said the names of those who had taken part in the tender process for each shop had been leaked, making a fair e-auction unworkable. Both the e-auction and the tender process have therefore been scrapped.
Fresh tenders will be invited for the 110 shops. The board has also asked the Devaswom Vigilance wing and the Chief Security Officer to investigate how the confidential details were compromised, and said strict action would follow against those found responsible.
The cancellation comes amid growing complaints about the board's preparations for the Mandala season and delays in several tendering procedures.
According to sources, tendering work that in earlier years would begin as early as May was started months late this time. A Congress-backed employees' organisation has lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister over the delay.
The slowdown has also hit the procurement of jaggery, a key ingredient in offerings made at Sabarimala. Although that tender process began last month, bidding was not completed within the stipulated period. Sources said the delay could add to the board's financial burden, as firms are likely to quote higher prices in a rising market.