The Kerala High Court expressed prima facie satisfaction with a proposal put forward by the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd. (KITFRA) to facilitate the digitisation of temple accounts and directed the State Government and the Travancore Devaswom Board to respond to the documentation filed before it. The Division Bench, comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, considered the detailed submission presented by KITFRA, noting that, on a preliminary view, the conceptual and architectural framework for the project appeared sound and could be taken forward, subject to necessary inputs, refinements, and approvals from the relevant authorities. The order followed the Court’s earlier directive for the digitalisation of accounts of all 1,250 temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board in the wake of a reported embezzlement of ₹40 lakh from a petrol pump operated by the Board at Nilakkal, a base camp for pilgrims to Sabarimala. KITFRA, which had been entrusted by the Travancore Devaswom Board to implement the digitalisation initiative, placed a detailed statement before the Court outlining the proposal and the timeframe required for the comprehensive exercise. The Bench engaged with KITFRA officers to obtain further information about the model proposed, which is based on the Information Kerala Mission’s Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation (K-SMART) platform. KITFRA informed the Court that approximately six months would be required to prepare and finalise technical and bid documents before the tendering process for software development agencies could commence.
The Bench also examined whether the existing model developed for the K-SMART platform could be adapted for the temple account digitisation project, and KITFRA officers confirmed that if the proposed system were based on the existing K-SMART framework, the preliminary work and system development activities could be expedited. In response to queries about the financial implications of the project, the Court was told that the total cost incurred for the K-SMART platform was around ₹70 crores and that the development cost for the proposed temple accounts digitisation scheme is likely to be significantly lower. This anticipated reduction in expenditure was attributed to the ability to adapt modular components and technological frameworks from the existing system rather than building an entirely new platform from scratch. The submission was recorded by the Court, which then directed both the Devaswom Board and the State Government to file their responses to the proposal. The matter was posted for further consideration on a subsequent date, giving the parties an opportunity to provide their inputs and address any concerns that might arise in relation to the project’s implementation and oversight.
The background to the Court’s involvement lies in concerns about financial transparency and accountability following the embezzlement incident at Nilakkal, where funds amounting to ₹40 lakh were reportedly misappropriated. The High Court’s order mandating the digitalisation of the accounts of all temples managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board was aimed at ensuring that such irregularities do not recur and that a robust system of financial management and oversight is put in place. KITFRA’s role as the implementing agency was central to this initiative, and its proposal represents a significant step towards realising the Court’s directive for comprehensive digitalisation. By engaging with the officers and examining the technical aspects of the proposed system, the Bench indicated its intent to oversee the project’s evolution and ensure that it meets the objectives of transparency, efficiency, and accountability in temple financial administration.
The Court’s prima facie satisfaction with the KITFRA proposal reflects its approval of the framework laid out in the detailed statement, including the anticipated timeline and the suggested use of the K-SMART platform as a foundational technology. KITFRA’s assurance that existing components could be leveraged to reduce development costs formed a key part of the discussions before the Court, which also focused on how best to integrate the new digital system with existing administrative processes. The Bench’s direction to the State Government and the Devaswom Board to respond ensures that the stakeholders directly involved in temple administration have an opportunity to voice their perspectives and take part in shaping the implementation strategy. The matter being adjourned for further hearing underscores the ongoing judicial oversight of the project and the Court’s interest in ensuring that the digitalisation of temple accounts proceeds in an orderly and effective manner. The Court’s engagement with KITFRA and the related procedural directives serve as part of a broader judicial effort to enhance financial governance and accountability within religious institutions managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board, addressing concerns that arose out of the financial irregularities previously identified.
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