Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070155180100.htm

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Amusement activities suspended

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The State Government has suspended all amusement activities, barring the toy train, at the Bal Bhavan here till the safety measures are reviewed in the wake of the death of Ayesha. Women and Child Welfare Minister P. M. Narendraswamy, who inspected the spot soon after the accident, visited the hospital where the body of the victim was kept.He blamed the Fun Style for the accident, saying the attendant should have been more efficient. Mr. Narendraswamy alleged that the officials concerned were yet to give him details of the contract related to privatisation of amusement activities at the Bal Bhavan, though he had sought them soon after taking over as Minister.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Women and Child Welfare Department said that the company had set up 12 amusement devices in a phased manner since November 9, 2007. The department had issued a notice to the company on June 13 asking it to operate only three and stop the rest, including “Tora Tora.” But the firm expressed its inability to stop the operation of amusement activities as it had spent Rs. 30 lakh on them. The department issued one more notice on June 29 asking it to stop the nine devices, but Fun Style had not complied with it.

While the firm has given a cheque for Rs. 1 lakh to be handed over to the victim’s family as compensation, the Minister has announced a personal contribution of Rs. 25,000.