[1]Thiruvananthapuram: Thousands of Sabarimala pilgrims may be spared from fleecing by hotels during the upcoming pilgrimage season as the Prisons Department is planning to set up chappathi and idli making units near the hill shrine.
Talks are on between the Prisons Department and Travancore Devaswom Board on providing space for setting up the food- making unit, preferably at Nilackal or Pamba. “If the devaswom authorities provide the necessary space, we will set up the unit,” said DIG Prisons B. Pradeep. Security of the prisoners is a prime factor while setting up the unit, he said.
The plan is to offer chappathi with vegetable curry and idli with sambar to pilgrims at affordable rate. At present a set of five chappathis with vegetable curry is being sold for Rs 25 and five idlis with sambar for Rs 20.
The Prisons Department is also exploring the scope of opening a new chappathi and idli- making unit at Pathanamthitta district jail to cater to the Sabarimala pilgrims. The pilgrimage season will begin in November. Every year, pilgrims complain of hotels and food stalls charging exorbitant rates.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/prison-foodjpg-237