BTC asked to relocate by December
The worst fears have come true. Chief Minister Yeddyurappa categorically told the representatives of the Bangalore Turf Club on Thursday that they have to vacate the premises by December 31 as per the lease agreement and the issue was not negotiable.
At a meeting with the representatives of Bangalore Turf Club and Mysore Race Club, he asked BTC to conduct its racing at Mysore during the period it takes to build a new race course at the land that is proposed to be allotted by the government. He also instructed the Mysore Race Club authorities to cooperate. MRC Chairman N V Babu has said that his club will cooperate. However, there are several contentious issues that need to be resolved.
In order to facilitate smooth transition, the Chief Minister has also extended two per cent tax concession to Mysore Race Club and allotted about 30 acres of land near Lalith Mahal Palace Hotel to build new stables to accommodate the influx of horses from Bangalore. The turnover tax on betting conducted on club’s totalisator pools at Mysore stands now at four per cent. Two per cent reduction will help Mysore Race Club build the required stables. Only the modalities of integration of the two race courses till such time the new course is built by BTC needs to be worked out.
Former Chairman of Bangalore Turf Club and Stewards of Bangalore Turf Club Dr K M Srinivasa Gowda said that the Chief Minister was very firm in his resolve and made it clear to BTC authorities that the club needs to shut all its activities at the present premises by December 31. Asked about the venue for conducting betting operations on its totes as the present premises have to be entirely vacated, Dr Gowda said the modalities need to be worked out.
The Bangalore Turf Club appears resigned to its fate. BTC did not react to Chief Minister’s dictates though the decision to shift was made clear last year itself and believed that it was a passing cloud like in the past. However, they failed to see the writing on the wall and now with no alternate land, cash reserves and facility to conduct off-course betting, the club as well racing all over the country is bound to face turbulent times due to closure of racing at Bangalore at least temporarily. If BTC has to conduct its racing at Mysore, it would mean compromising the year’s racing calendar and if the number of race days comes down, it will have serious economic repercussions on the industry itself. The Bangalore Turf Club also has to find an alternative place to set up its machinery to facilitate the operation of tote pools. The Bangalore Turf Club grosses over Rs 1,000 crores annually.
Also there is the problem of authority. Who will control racing at Mysore? And which of the racing days will be earmarked as BTC”s racing? Mysore already has a horse population of about 500 horses and the influx of about 1000 horses is sure to add to the problem of logistics. Given the lack of commitment of most members of the Managing Committee of BTC towards racing, the creation of a new race course may itself become a pipe dream. With the turf club representatives giving their consent to Chief Minister on Thursday, the question of the club considering the alternative of getting relief from the court does not arise.
The prediction of the pessimists that Karnataka will cease to have two race courses and Mysore will be the only race course that may survive the onslaught of rapid expansion of the city seems to be coming true.
At a meeting with the representatives of Bangalore Turf Club and Mysore Race Club, he asked BTC to conduct its racing at Mysore during the period it takes to build a new race course at the land that is proposed to be allotted by the government. He also instructed the Mysore Race Club authorities to cooperate. MRC Chairman N V Babu has said that his club will cooperate. However, there are several contentious issues that need to be resolved.
In order to facilitate smooth transition, the Chief Minister has also extended two per cent tax concession to Mysore Race Club and allotted about 30 acres of land near Lalith Mahal Palace Hotel to build new stables to accommodate the influx of horses from Bangalore. The turnover tax on betting conducted on club’s totalisator pools at Mysore stands now at four per cent. Two per cent reduction will help Mysore Race Club build the required stables. Only the modalities of integration of the two race courses till such time the new course is built by BTC needs to be worked out.
Former Chairman of Bangalore Turf Club and Stewards of Bangalore Turf Club Dr K M Srinivasa Gowda said that the Chief Minister was very firm in his resolve and made it clear to BTC authorities that the club needs to shut all its activities at the present premises by December 31. Asked about the venue for conducting betting operations on its totes as the present premises have to be entirely vacated, Dr Gowda said the modalities need to be worked out.
The Bangalore Turf Club appears resigned to its fate. BTC did not react to Chief Minister’s dictates though the decision to shift was made clear last year itself and believed that it was a passing cloud like in the past. However, they failed to see the writing on the wall and now with no alternate land, cash reserves and facility to conduct off-course betting, the club as well racing all over the country is bound to face turbulent times due to closure of racing at Bangalore at least temporarily. If BTC has to conduct its racing at Mysore, it would mean compromising the year’s racing calendar and if the number of race days comes down, it will have serious economic repercussions on the industry itself. The Bangalore Turf Club also has to find an alternative place to set up its machinery to facilitate the operation of tote pools. The Bangalore Turf Club grosses over Rs 1,000 crores annually.
Also there is the problem of authority. Who will control racing at Mysore? And which of the racing days will be earmarked as BTC”s racing? Mysore already has a horse population of about 500 horses and the influx of about 1000 horses is sure to add to the problem of logistics. Given the lack of commitment of most members of the Managing Committee of BTC towards racing, the creation of a new race course may itself become a pipe dream. With the turf club representatives giving their consent to Chief Minister on Thursday, the question of the club considering the alternative of getting relief from the court does not arise.
The prediction of the pessimists that Karnataka will cease to have two race courses and Mysore will be the only race course that may survive the onslaught of rapid expansion of the city seems to be coming true.
Comments
Post a Comment