Pathanamthitta, Tuesday 27 October 2009: Devaswom Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran said that the newly constructed cardiology centres at Appachimedu and Neelimala-Top on the Pampa-Sannidhanam trekking path would be inaugurated on November 10.

The Minister was addressing an official meeting at the Collectorate conference hall to review the arrangements made by various government departments for the smooth conduct of the Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala that begins on November 16.

Mr. Ramachandran said the Kerala State Electricity Board would revise the electricity tariff at Sabarimala on the basis of commercial and non-commercial activities as per the directives of Kerala High Court in this regard.

He said power tariff would be made non-commercial for electricity supplied to the temple complex while commercial tariff will be applicable for commercial units at the pilgrim centre.

Addressing the meeting, K. Jayakumar, Additional Chief Secretary, said the Health Department should take steps to ensure better service at the cardiology centres, especially in the backdrop of the strike by doctors at medical colleges. According to the Director of Medical Education, specially trained general physicians would be posted at cardiology centres and other government healthcare centres at Sabarimala.

The Minister said the accident insurance scheme for pilgrims on the Nilackal-Pampa road would be extended to Erumely too.

He said the government would also explore the possibility of extending the insurance cover to various pilgrim casualties, including those due to cardiac ailments, at Sabarimala in consultation with the Life Insurance Corporation.

Mr. Jayakumar said the Excise Department and the police should take effective steps to check liquor trade at the main base camps of Nilackal and Pampa, as there had been complaints of rampant liquor trade. Addressing the meeting, A. Hemachandran, Inspector-General of Police, stressed the need to improve the basic amenties for policemen deployed at Sabarimala during the annual festival.

Though a high-level police team had inspected Sabarimala and submitted a detailed report on the immediate requirements of the police force at the pilgrim centre six months ago, the board was yet to take any effective steps in this regard, he alleged.

Jacob Punnoose, Director-General of Police; G. Baburaj, Inspector-General; K.K. Chelappan, Superintendent of Police; K. Shylaja, Director of Health Services; Idukki Collector Ashok Kumar Singh; Pathanamthitta Collector T.T. Antony; and heads of various government departments; addressed the meeting.