Kerala takes over golf course

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - After a nearly three-year-long legal battle, the Kerala government Saturday took over the Trivandrum Golf Club (TGC) and its 9-hole course situated in the heart of this capital city.

Armed with an interim Supreme Court judgment, Thiruvananthapuram Tahsildar Madhu Janardhanan led a team of revenue department officials to take possession of the club. The officials had given a notice to the club’s office bearers Friday to vacate the premises.

The secretary of the club handed over all the documents to Janardhanan, who later put up a signboard saying that the property belonged to the Kerala government.

The apex court judgment June 17 said that a committee headed by the state chief secretary will manage the day-to-day affairs of the club and the course.

The 9-hole golf course spread over 25 acres was established by the royal family of Travancore in 1850. On Nov 11, 1966, the course was handed over to the club under licence for 99 years.

One of the provisions of the licence said was that 30 years after the grant of licence, the state government could terminate it after giving a two-year notice. The notice period ends November 2010.

The committee set up by the apex court will have six representatives of the state government and four of the TGC.

Besides the chief secretary, the other government representatives in the committee include the deputy commissioner of Thiruvananthapuram, the secretary of the tourism department, the chief engineer of the land and building department and the director of the Kerala Sports Council (KSC).

The TGC representatives would be its president, honorary secretary, captain and a member of the executive committee.

The court also protected the interests of nearly 600 existing members of the TGC and the staff members of the club.

On Saturday, some TGC members expressed their dissatisfaction when they found out that instead of the apex court-appointed committee, the club had been taken over by the revenue department.

They were also told that the annual general body meeting of the TGC scheduled for Sunday could not be held at the premises.

Speaking to reporters, TGC secretary S. Reghuchandran Nair said that the take over procedure has been completed.

“We have no plans to enter into a collision with the government and all cooperation would be given. We will wait for the verdict from a lower court hearing a civil suit related to the issue,” said Nair.

TGC members said they were seeking legal opinion and alleged that the state government and its officials have gone against the apex court’s orders.

“We have abided by the verdict with no dilutions,” said a member of the TCG, who did not wish to be identified.