Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday refused permission to the Travancore Devaswom Board to construct a Convention Centre near Shanghumugham Beach. The Court also asked District Agricultural officer whether the land could be utlised for organic farming. The plan was to construct a convention center on a five acre plot of land, worth several crores, owned by the board near Shanghumughm Beach.
The court also asked Senior Government pleader to obtain instructions from the District Agricultural Officer, Thiruvanathapuram and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council authorities whether the land could be used for any cultivation to augment availability of non-toxic vegetables and fruits. Income can also be generated through the process. A Division Bench comprising Justice Thottathi B Radhakrishnan and Justice Sunil Thomas issued the order on TDB’s plea seeking sanction to construct a convention center.
According to TDB, the land was situated very close to Sanghumugham beach and the international airport. Considering the commercial importance of the locality, the board had decided to construct a convention center. The Court observed that the primary purpose of the Devaswom Boards was to put those lands to use in connection with the activities of the temple and religious, spiritual, cultural and other aspects which are intricately connected with the activities of the temple.
Any activity of the Devaswom Boards, which are merely the statutory guardians of devaswom lands, to put such property to commercial use should be restricted to the bare minimum and which is indispensable in the context of any particular locality or temple. It has also to be done only by ensuring that any such investment generates appropriate income.
There was no clarity in the answer submitted by the TDB to a question whether the center would be leased out for any activities either political or non-religious, the court observed. The court observed that nothing worthwhile would happen in the interest of the temple or devotee even if the project was realized.
