Suo Motu vs State Of Kerala

Anil K. Narendran, J.

The Special Commissioner, Sabarimala has filed this report seeking the following directions regarding temple festival and Meena Masa Pooja at Sabarimala Temple for the period from 08.03.2022 till 19.03.2022;

(1) Ease restrictions and permit pilgrims, who have taken double dose of Covid vaccine to have Sabarimala Darshan, without insisting for RT PCR negative certificates.

(2) Increase the number of pilgrims permitted per day through online booking from 15,000 pilgrims per day.

(3) Open the Neelimala - Appachimedu trek route for Sabarimala pilgrims.

(4) The Sate Government and Directorate of Health Services shall also post Cardiologists, Paramedics and support staff at the Cardiology Centre at Neelimala and Appachimedu during the period when the Sabarimala temple is open.

On 28.02.2022, when this report came up for consideration, the learned Government Pleader sought time to get instructions.

On 03.03.2022, the learned Senior Government Pleader, on instructions from the State Disaster Management Authority, submitted that a decision has already been taken to permit pilgrims, who have taken double dose of Covid vaccine, to have Sabarimala Darshan, without production of RT-PCR negative certificate. The State Disaster Management Authority, in principle, decided to lift the restrictions regarding the number of pilgrims per day to have Sabarimala Darshan (which is presently 15,000 per day), through online booking. Formal orders in this regard will be issued within two days. A decision has already been taken to open Neelimala-Appachimedu trekking route for Sabarimala pilgrims. Steps are being taken by the Director of Health Services and also the District Medical Officer, Pathanamthitta, to post Cardiologists, Paramedics and supporting staff at the Cardiology Centre at Neelimala and Appachimedu, during the temple festival and Meena Masa Pooja at Sabarimala Temple.

On 07.03.2022, the learned Senior Government Pleader, on instructions, submitted that arrangements have already been made for the smooth conduct of festival and Meena Masa Pooja at Sabarimala Temple from 08.03.2022 to 19.03.2022. Formal orders of the State Disaster Management Authority on the number of pilgrims permitted to have Sabarimala Darshan each day will be issued on 07.03.2022 itself. Two Cardiologists have already been posted, one each at Neelimala and Appachimedu. Other doctors will be posted on that day. Paramedics and other supporting staff have already been posted.

Today, when this report is taken up for consideration, the learned Senior Government Pleader would submit that the State Disaster Management Authority has already taken a decision to lift the restrictions regarding the number of pilgrims permitted to have Sabarimala Darshan on each day, during the temple festival and Meena Masa Pooja at Sabarimala from 08.03.2022 till 19.03.2022. The decision taken as above by the State Disaster Management Authority will be subject to review taking into consideration the situation prevailing in the State on account of Covid pandemic. Pilgrims with double vaccination certificate need not produce RT-PCR negative test result. Pilgrims who reach Nilakkal without double vaccination certificate will be provided with facilities for conducting RT-PCR test. In addition to online booking in Virtual-Q platform, sufficient number of counters will be provided at Nilakkal for spot booking. Sufficient number of Cardiologists, medical and paramedical staff have already been posted at the Cardiology Center at Neelimala and Appachimedu.

Recording the aforesaid statements made by the learned Senior Government Pleader, this SSCR is disposed of.