The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has said that it should be ensured that land in the possession of the government or local bodies that is earmarked for recreational needs of children is used only for that purpose.
The commission in an order has directed the Secretary of the Local Self-government Department to also ensure that land given to other institutions for recreation of children is used for no other purpose.
All local bodies should be given instructions in this regard, it has said.
A full Bench of the commission comprising chairperson Shobha Koshy and members K. Naseer and Meena C.U. issued the directive on a complaint from activist A. Achuthan following media reports that land given by the Kozhikode Corporation to the Rotary Club of Calicut East for starting a children’s park and library was being used for other purposes.
The land in question at Chakorathukulam in Kacheri village in the Kozhikode Corporation was handed over by the civic body to the Rotary Club of Calicut East in 1974 for starting a children’s library and park. However, the library and the park had not been functioning for the past 15 years. Instead, a hall had been built there and was being rented out in violation of the contract, the petitioner said.
The Kozhikode Corporation secretary should ensure that the park became fully functional with new facilities for children, the commission’s order said.
The boundary wall around the park should be removed and it should be made attractive for children. The president of the club should ensure that the library could be used by the children.
