Thiruvananthapuram: The increased bus fare between Nilackal and Pamba will be in force till September 21, the day temple closes after the puja for the Malayalam month of Kanni.The decision was taken in the discussion Travancore devaswom board ( TDB ) president A Padmakumar had with transport minister A K Saseendran.The transport minister made it clear that the fare has been increased corresponding to the bus fare increase made in the state. When the bus fare was increased, it was not increased in the Nilackal-Pampa route. Hence the bus fare has gone up to Rs 40 from Rs 31.However, the TDB has already approached the high court against the bus fare hike and hence the minister said a final decision on this can be taken after the verdict from the court.The minister also promised that before the Mandalam festival , the decision on bus fare hike will be reviewed. The devaswom authorities have agreed to the proposal of the minister.Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala urged the transport minister to immediately withdraw the increased bus fare between Nilackal and Pamba.He said the KSRTC should stop looting devotees, especially when they have only KSRTC to depend to reach Pamba from Nilackal.Meanwhile, the devaswom board meeting has decided to withdraw the controversial order on the ‘salary challenge’ which had invited the wrath of the HC. The board decided that the devaswom employees would not be compelled to contribute their salaries to the chief minister’s distress relief fund.Instead, the board decided that any amount of money will be accepted from those who are willing to contribute.There will not be any compulsion that one month salary should be paid to the CMDRF.The remedial rituals as prescribed in the devaprasnam was conducted at Sannidhanam on Tuesday morning under the guidance of Thantri Kandararu Rajeevararu.The sannidhanam witnessed a heavy rush of devotees on Tuesday also and the people from neighbouring states are coming in large numbers to the hill shrine.

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