Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 15 (NationPress) In a significant step toward stabilizing the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and rebuilding public trust that has been compromised by the Sabarimala gold heist scandal, former Chief Secretary of Kerala, K. Jayakumar, was officially inaugurated as the new President of this influential temple administrative body on Saturday.

This appointment arrives amidst an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Kerala High Court, which is delving into the reported theft and illicit sale of gold plating from the Sabarimala temple, allegedly involving former high-ranking officials from the TDB.

Shortly after assuming his role, Jayakumar openly recognized that the controversy has led to a “crisis in faith” among the temple's devotees.

“Currently, the SIT is making progress. It is undoubtedly distressing for the devotees. I will work to prevent such incidents in the future,” he stated.

Emphasizing that his primary goal is to “restore faith”, he pledged to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards any misconduct.

“There will be no more fraud. If the TDB stands strong, no wrong will occur. If any issue arises, it will be addressed and resolved appropriately,” he asserted.

Jayakumar framed his new role not as a challenge but rather as “a remarkable opportunity” at a pivotal time.

Interestingly, he takes the helm just before the two-month-long Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, which begins on Monday.

The selection of the 73-year-old retired bureaucrat signifies a notable shift from tradition, as leadership roles within the TDB have typically been filled by political appointees.

A widely respected figure within both administration and culture, Jayakumar has built a reputation across the political landscape, having held significant roles under both LDF and UDF governments.

His familiarity with the operational aspects of Sabarimala, including previous experiences on committees governing the pilgrimage, is anticipated to aid in navigating the challenges posed by the current scandal.

Apart from his bureaucratic accomplishments, Jayakumar is also recognized as a poet, lyricist, and screenwriter, and he presently directs the Institute of Management in Government, the leading training center for civil services in the state.

Alongside him, former State Forest Minister and veteran CPI leader K. Raju was also sworn in as a board member.

For the state government, these new appointments represent a clear initiative to restore administrative integrity and public confidence in the TDB as it confronts one of its most sensitive crises in recent history.