Appointment of Non-brahmin priests a silent revolution’: LDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI(M)-LED LDF government in Kerala today termed as a "silent revolution" the appointment of 36 non-brahmins, including six Dalits, as priests in temples in the state under the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

"It is a silent revolution and a model for others to follow," Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran told reporters here. Indicating that more such appointments are on the anvil, he said there are more than 3,000 vacancies in different shrines managed by five temple boards –TDB, Cochin Devaswom, Malabar Devaswom, Guruvayur Devaswom and Koodalmanikayam Devaswom.

Due process was followed to ensure transprency in appointments, he said.

"A new history has been scripted by ensuring reservation as enshrined in the Constitution with the appointment of Dalits as priests," he said.

However, he said, reservation was not the prime consideration for selection. Those who have knowledge of rituals were appointed as priests.

Asked if the Kerala government has plans to appoint non- Brahmins as priests at the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala, under the control of the TDB, Surendran said it could be considered.

However, nothing could be carried out in a hurry, he said.

The TDB manages at least 1,248 shrines, including the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.

Government of West Bengal North Bengal Development Department Branch Secretariat Uttarkanya, Fulbari, Jalpaiguri

Corrigendum Corrigendums of Notice Inviting e- Tender No: 86 of 2017-18 (1st & 2nd Corrigendum) , Notice Inviting e- Tender No:91 of 201718 (1st & 2nd Corrigendum), Notice Inviting e- Tender No: 93 of 2017-18 (1st Corrigendum) and Notice Inviting e- Tender No: 94 of 2017-18 (1st Corrigendum) have been uploaded . Please visit Web Site-www.wbnorthbengaldev.gov.in and https://wbtenders. gov.in for detail. Sd/superintending Engineer North Bengal Development Department

The minister also thanked noted actor Kamal Hassan and DMK leader M K Stalin for appreciating the initiative of the LDF government.

He said the people of Kerala had also welcomed the government decision.

The Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board had recently recommended 36 nonbrahmins, including six Dalits, for appointment as priests in temples in the state.

This is the first time six persons from the Scheduled Caste community have been recommended for appointment as priests.