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Kerala government moots museum for
 preserving temple treasures

This was disclosed by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy while replying to questions in the State Assembly on Wednesday. He said that the state government was ready to set up the museum and open up the treasures accumulated over the centuries to the people if the Supreme Court permitted it.

The government would convey its decision to the apex before the next hearing in the case related to the control of the temple on August 6. The treasures unearthed from five secret vaults beneath the shrine on the court orders include bags of diamonds, an 18-foot gold necklace, 19 kilograms precious coins, gold ropes and antique jewellery studded with diamonds and emeralds.

The amicus curie appointed by the Supreme Court to assist it in the case had reported pilferage of the treasures and sought appointment of an independent committee to administer the temple and its wealth. The amicus curie and a former member of an expert panel had turned the accusing finger to the erstwhile Travancore royal family, which controlled the temple until the administration was taken over by a panel headed by the district judge a couple of months ago.

The chief minister, however, gave a clean chit to the royal family. Chandy said that the preservation of the priceless treasures till now by the royal family was a clear example of their integrity and trust. There should be reservation while criticising the royal family, which had managed the temple affairs admirably so far, he said.

Meanwhile, Temple Affairs Minister V S Shivakumar said that the state government had not received any report on loss of gold and silver from the temple. He said that the government had only heard about media reports suggesting wrongdoings at the temple.

He said that the government was ready to conduct an investigation into the alleged smuggling if the Supreme Court directed it. “We will go by the apex court orders in this regard instead of acting on the media reports,” he added.

Sivakumar said that the state cabinet had decided to establish an administrative set up like in Tirupathi or Guruvvayour temples for the management of the temple. He said that the government would inform the court the cabinet decision.

He said that the government had complied with all the court orders on the security of the temple. All necessary security has been installed at the temple as directed by the apex court.

Auditing of the assets and wealth of the temple was progressing. Government would take a decision on a comprehensive law to take over the temple after Supreme Court verdict on the matter, he said.

It was during the previous rule of the Left Democratic Front government, the case connected with the temple started. At that time the government had given an affidavit that it would not interfere with the powers of royal family, the minister pointed out.

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