New twist to BTC’s saga of survival
The Bangalore Turf Club which is under notice from several government agencies to vacate the existing premises at the expiry of the lease on December 31, 2009, has been hard pressed to protect its interests. The turf club seems to have got an unexpected helping hand in the form of a letter from the Secretary of Environment and Forest Department, Government of India. The Secretary’s letter makes it clear that unless suitable accommodation is provided to house the over 1000 horses stabled in BTC premises, the status quo should be maintained failing which it will attract the provision of the Animal Protection Act.
Mr. D Rajashekar, Secretary of Ministry of Environment and Forest, has said in his letter to the PWD Department and Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Karnataka, that the proposed relocation of horses sheltered at BTC premises has to be done as per the provisions of the act. The Secretary has brought to the notice of the government the letter written by BESCOM on September 6, 2008 to the turf club about withdrawing power facility at the end of the lease period.
Mr. Rajashekar has stated that the ministry had received several representations about the hardship that is going to be caused if the government acted without reasonable guarantees. The letter states: ``We have received representations about the government’s move. Unlike many other animals, thoroughbreds require special amenities and facilities like lightning, power, water, training tracks, lunging rings, bund schools, equine swimming pools and 24-hour fully equipped equine hospital in order to thrive and perform the job of racing. The governmental agencies are duty bound to provide facilities for these thoroughbreds at the existing premises so as to conform to the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the broad vision of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972.’’ All these facilities should not be disturbed till such time suitable alternative has been found, the letter adds.
Thoroughbred racing thrives in only 10 centers in the country. There have been attempts in the past to shut down racing and the Government of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra had banned racing but racing managed to stage a comeback in these states. Post independence, Indian racing was under notice to wind up operations within the next six years between 1947 and 1953. However, the then Prime Minister of India Pundit Nehru came to the rescue of racing by stating that since racing generated economic activity, it should be allowed to flourish which paved the way of restoration of racing. The race horse breeders had also extracted a major concession from the government at that time that the existing stud farms in the country would be outside the purview of the urban land ceiling act which has gone a long way in saving racing. The major stud farms in the country are all located within the city limits but survived only because of the Central Act.
The Royal Western India Turf Club at Mahalaxmi and the Royal Calcutta Turf Club buildings have now been given the heritage status and the buildings cannot be meddled with. Bangalore Turf Club which is running racing activity for over 100 years is also striving for the same status.
The Government of Karnataka is reportedly considering giving 95 acres of land to Bangalore Turf Club at Chikkajala and one year’s extension to build the new infrastructure.
Mr. D Rajashekar, Secretary of Ministry of Environment and Forest, has said in his letter to the PWD Department and Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Karnataka, that the proposed relocation of horses sheltered at BTC premises has to be done as per the provisions of the act. The Secretary has brought to the notice of the government the letter written by BESCOM on September 6, 2008 to the turf club about withdrawing power facility at the end of the lease period.
Mr. Rajashekar has stated that the ministry had received several representations about the hardship that is going to be caused if the government acted without reasonable guarantees. The letter states: ``We have received representations about the government’s move. Unlike many other animals, thoroughbreds require special amenities and facilities like lightning, power, water, training tracks, lunging rings, bund schools, equine swimming pools and 24-hour fully equipped equine hospital in order to thrive and perform the job of racing. The governmental agencies are duty bound to provide facilities for these thoroughbreds at the existing premises so as to conform to the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the broad vision of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972.’’ All these facilities should not be disturbed till such time suitable alternative has been found, the letter adds.
Thoroughbred racing thrives in only 10 centers in the country. There have been attempts in the past to shut down racing and the Government of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra had banned racing but racing managed to stage a comeback in these states. Post independence, Indian racing was under notice to wind up operations within the next six years between 1947 and 1953. However, the then Prime Minister of India Pundit Nehru came to the rescue of racing by stating that since racing generated economic activity, it should be allowed to flourish which paved the way of restoration of racing. The race horse breeders had also extracted a major concession from the government at that time that the existing stud farms in the country would be outside the purview of the urban land ceiling act which has gone a long way in saving racing. The major stud farms in the country are all located within the city limits but survived only because of the Central Act.
The Royal Western India Turf Club at Mahalaxmi and the Royal Calcutta Turf Club buildings have now been given the heritage status and the buildings cannot be meddled with. Bangalore Turf Club which is running racing activity for over 100 years is also striving for the same status.
The Government of Karnataka is reportedly considering giving 95 acres of land to Bangalore Turf Club at Chikkajala and one year’s extension to build the new infrastructure.
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