Shop auction at Keralam’s Sabarimala cancelled over leak of bidder details

Even as concerns mount over delays in preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has cancelled the e-auction for allotting rights to operate 110 shops at the hill temple.

The auction, scheduled for September 29, was cancelled after the board found that the confidentiality of documents related to the tender process had been compromised.

“Details of the names of those who had participated in the tender process for each shop were leaked. Since conducting the e-auction in such circumstances would not be effective, both the e-auction and the tender process have been cancelled,” the TDB said in a statement.

The TDB will now invite fresh tenders for the 110 shops. It has also directed the Devaswom Vigilance and Chief Security Officer to investigate how the confidentiality of the tender process was compromised.

“Strict action will be taken against those found responsible,” the board said.