Action against playground renovation flayed

NEDUMBASSERY: The action of the Aluva Additional Tahsildar stopping the renovation of the playground in Madurapuram and seizing a lorry and tractor on Monday, has turned controversial. The physical education teachers of various schools under Angamaly Education sub-district, public, sports lovers and elected representatives have come out openly condemning the action of the Revenue Department.The play ground attached to the Janaseva Boy Home was an ideal venue for hosting the sub-district level school sports and games meets. The Angamaly sub-district had chosen this ground as the venue for its sports meet this year. The sub-district School Games Association office bearers , who found the water logging adjacent to the existing play ground posed danger to the participants in the competitions, had requested to clear the water accumulation and renovate the ground. The Boys Home Authorities made arrangements to renovate the ground by filling the water logged areas adjacent to the ground with red earth. The work began on Monday. Meanwhile, the revenue authorities, acting reportedly on the complaint of the Panchayat president swung into action. The Addl. Tahsildar stopped the work and seized a lorry and tractor from the site. The vehicles were handed over to the Chengamanad Police.When contacted Addl Tahsildar Sobana said that the land where the earth was filled, was documented as paddy field. She added that the work was in violation of the Kerala Land Utilisation Act. She said the Panchayat president in a complaint pointed out that a drainage canal would be closed if the land was filled. However, the local people pointed out the land was not used for paddy cultivation for many years.The physical education teachers of various schools in the area are of the opinion  that the action of the revenue department would hamper sports activities in the area.