TDB appoints task force to ‘rectify anomalies’ in Global Ayyappa Sangamam audit report 

TDB forms a task force to address audit report discrepancies regarding Global Ayyappa Sangamam expenses and clarify financial concerns.

The Travancore Decaswom Board (TDB) appointed a special task force on Tuesday to “rectify the anomalies” that crept into the audit report concerning the expenses incurred for the conduct of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Sabarimala in September 2025. 

TDB president K Jayakumar told reporters that the board had “erred” in not answering the auditor’s queries in entirety, thus inadvertently creating room for scepticism. 

“Some officials had evidently not done their homework. I am not blaming the auditor. He could only work on the basis of the information provided by the TDB, which was found patchy and lacking. There is an evident lack of clarity”, he said. 

Mr Jayakumar said that in some cases, the TDB did not receive bills and invoices from vendors in time, leaving the auditor in the dark. 

He said the TDB could not accept some of the audit reports’ findings. “The TDB cannot accept all claims. The bhajana sangam did not perform at the venue, and breakfast was not served for 4000 attendees”, he said. 

Mr Jayakumar said the previous TDB had “limited” the expense for the Ayyappa Sangamam to ₹4.99 crore. He said the TDB had promised the High Court that it would not tap into its coffers to underwrite the event. “The TDB extended ₹3 crore for the event, which has now been credited back to its account. Adani’s sponsorship amount of ₹1 crore is assured. But some other sponsors did not honour their commitment. There is a ₹1 crore shortage, which will be redeemed”, he said.