Karnataka Cabinet clears land for BTC
The Karnataka Cabinet has cleared 85 acres of land at Chikkajala to Bangalore Turf Club for purpose of building a new race course. The present race course has to be vacated by the Bangalore Turf Club by December 31, 2009 as per the lease agreement signed by the club with the government. Originally, the government had promised 95 acres of land at the dried up tank bed but in view of the fact that the proposed race course land is right next to the National Highway 7, the government has retained 10 acres of land keeping in mind the possibility of road expansion and other developmental works. The Karnataka Cabinet which met on Friday approved the proposal to give the land on a 30 year lease. It may be recalled that the High Court of Karnataka had cleared the government’s move and had given the go ahead to allot the land as per law.
BTC will enjoy possession of the land for a period of 30 years from the date of signing of the agreement. The annual lease rent has been fixed at Rs 50,000 per year with 10 per cent increase every two years. The total extent of land that is available at the Chikkajala tank bed is close to 130 acres but the government is committed to maintaining the small lake which abets the land. The present race course at BTC premises is roughly around the same extent though the club has lost considerable space due to road expansion works.
Welcoming the cabinet decision, Dr Srinivasa Gowda who is spearheading the campaign to save the precarious situation in which BTC is placed, said that the first of their three conditions has been met by the government. The other two conditions are giving tax moratorium and to continue at the existing premises till such time the new race course is ready. The turf club is seeking three-year’s time. .
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has been firm in his resolve to move the race course out from the existing premises. The previous governments had made half-hearted efforts to shift the race course for the last three decades but had not persevered with its plan. The turf club too had been adamant and lost innumerable opportunities to get a bigger chunk of land, in close proximity to the city. However, this time the government has been committed to the shift as the Chief Minister had refused to look beyond December31 as the deadline. He has often bluntly told the club authorities that they can race at Mysore during the period it takes to build the new race course.
Some of the members of the club who are committed to the cause of the sport and other racing enthusiasts have been working overtime to bring pressure on the government to ensure that racing does not suffer adversely by the Chief Minister’s adamant approach. The members have met several politicians including BJP leader L K Advani to save racing in Bangalore. .
The urgency, with which the government has sought to move the club from its existing premises without giving sufficient time, is also a subject that is due to come up in the Assembly shortly. The opposition leaders including former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiabh, D K Shiva Kumar and Dinesh Gundu Rao are said to be sympathetic to BTC’s cause of getting time to relocate.
One has to wait and see how things shape up over the next few months. There is also a special EGM of the Bangalore Turf Club where members are seeking the resignation of the Chairman. The meeting is scheduled for August 27.
BTC will enjoy possession of the land for a period of 30 years from the date of signing of the agreement. The annual lease rent has been fixed at Rs 50,000 per year with 10 per cent increase every two years. The total extent of land that is available at the Chikkajala tank bed is close to 130 acres but the government is committed to maintaining the small lake which abets the land. The present race course at BTC premises is roughly around the same extent though the club has lost considerable space due to road expansion works.
Welcoming the cabinet decision, Dr Srinivasa Gowda who is spearheading the campaign to save the precarious situation in which BTC is placed, said that the first of their three conditions has been met by the government. The other two conditions are giving tax moratorium and to continue at the existing premises till such time the new race course is ready. The turf club is seeking three-year’s time. .
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has been firm in his resolve to move the race course out from the existing premises. The previous governments had made half-hearted efforts to shift the race course for the last three decades but had not persevered with its plan. The turf club too had been adamant and lost innumerable opportunities to get a bigger chunk of land, in close proximity to the city. However, this time the government has been committed to the shift as the Chief Minister had refused to look beyond December31 as the deadline. He has often bluntly told the club authorities that they can race at Mysore during the period it takes to build the new race course.
Some of the members of the club who are committed to the cause of the sport and other racing enthusiasts have been working overtime to bring pressure on the government to ensure that racing does not suffer adversely by the Chief Minister’s adamant approach. The members have met several politicians including BJP leader L K Advani to save racing in Bangalore. .
The urgency, with which the government has sought to move the club from its existing premises without giving sufficient time, is also a subject that is due to come up in the Assembly shortly. The opposition leaders including former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiabh, D K Shiva Kumar and Dinesh Gundu Rao are said to be sympathetic to BTC’s cause of getting time to relocate.
One has to wait and see how things shape up over the next few months. There is also a special EGM of the Bangalore Turf Club where members are seeking the resignation of the Chairman. The meeting is scheduled for August 27.
MR.yeddyurappa should sympathetically review his decision and be like Mr. Ramakrishna Egde and follow him in certain things and give time till the new race course is ready
ReplyDeleteYours
Krishna
.
This kind of negotiating with the government seems to take place with every change in the administration. Is there something more to this issue than meets the eye? Clearly, it is the opinion of numerous voices in the business of racing and the BTC that the current race course is reaching its limits in terms of space, infrastructure, stabling facilities, etc., and that it is only a matter of time before the club must shift to a new location.
ReplyDeleteAs previously asserted by voices such as that of Zeyn Mirza's, in a new location, that belongs entirely to the turf club and its members, the best practices and technology could be incorporated in creating a world class racing facility. Perhaps what the BTC requires is some more time to build such a facility, and perhaps also a location other than Chikkajala, that will be kinder to both racing professionals and the average punter.
As one who has enjoyed racing and riding at the BTC on Race Course road, however, I am sentimentally inclined to the club remaining at its present location.