Mysore Race Club faces the heat
It is not just politicians who can throw a spanner in the conduct of racing. Bureaucrats can prove to be much more troublesome given the powers that they are vested with. The Mysore Race Club lease is pending and from what one gathers, the government has every intention of extending it.
In fact, at the height of government’s forceful demand on Bangalore Turf Club to relocate out of its existing venue, the government had suggested that the club conduct its activities in Mysore till such time an alternative infrastructure was in place. This is a clear indication that the government does not want to meddle with the Mysore Race Club land. In fact, the government has been very understanding and is reportedly considering reducing the tote turn over tax in order to help the club develop its infrastructure in lieu of the land given up to expand the Administrative Training Institute which resulted in the loss of more than 200 stables at the nearby venue. It is just that the local politicians in collusion with the government officials have caused a needless loss of a race day. In the context of races being frequently called off due to strikes by professionals who make a living out of racing, a loss of race day should not be an alarming development.
The Mysore Race Club used to conduct its races only in the monsoon months of August, September and October before mini seasons were added on either side of the main season. It was during this time the club agreed to allow its land to be used by the golf club which adjoins the race course. With the year round activity, golfing activities are naturally affected. With a number of government officials getting service membership of the golf club, the officials seem to be arm twisting the race club so that their activities can go on unhindered. The then Deputy Commissioner of Mysore had caused lot of problems to the club last year before he was transferred out. This caused friction between politicians who supported the government official for their own interests and those against him. There were protests by opposition party politicians against the transfer. The Mysore Race Club was supposed to have used its clout to get the Deputy Commissioner out of the way.
Since the lease had been pending, the Public Works Department has been pressurized to serve a notice on the club to vacate its premises and the Mysore City Corporation has joined the issue by refusing to issue license to run canteens in its premises. This action of the corporation resulted in the races scheduled for Friday, December 10 being cancelled.
It is interesting to note the District Minister in-charge of Mysore Ramdas has issued a statement that the government officials cannot be so high handed in their dealings with the club and that his consent was needed for any action.
For those who may not know the background of more than century old Mysore Race Club, the land actually belonged to the club. The land was purchased from the then Maharaja of Mysore. For strange reasons, the club, in the 80s, agreed to convert their land holding into lease of land which is the genesis of this problem.
The Mysore storm may blow over in a day or two but the fact remains that the year 2010 has troubled for most race clubs in the country in one way or the other. The RWITC had received a termination notice from the corporation for breach of its lease agreement but the club has managed to ward off the threat for the time being. The year 2013 is a crucial year for the club because in that year, the lease comes for renewal. RWITC is also facing problems with the army with regard to Pune race course. The BTC was under serious threat of closure but the club managed to get some relief in Supreme Court and the matter is pending disposal. Many race days were lost in Bangalore and Mysore due to internal disturbances engineered by people whose livelihood depends on racing.
The race goers can only pray that racing goes on unhindered and unfettered in the coming year.
In fact, at the height of government’s forceful demand on Bangalore Turf Club to relocate out of its existing venue, the government had suggested that the club conduct its activities in Mysore till such time an alternative infrastructure was in place. This is a clear indication that the government does not want to meddle with the Mysore Race Club land. In fact, the government has been very understanding and is reportedly considering reducing the tote turn over tax in order to help the club develop its infrastructure in lieu of the land given up to expand the Administrative Training Institute which resulted in the loss of more than 200 stables at the nearby venue. It is just that the local politicians in collusion with the government officials have caused a needless loss of a race day. In the context of races being frequently called off due to strikes by professionals who make a living out of racing, a loss of race day should not be an alarming development.
The Mysore Race Club used to conduct its races only in the monsoon months of August, September and October before mini seasons were added on either side of the main season. It was during this time the club agreed to allow its land to be used by the golf club which adjoins the race course. With the year round activity, golfing activities are naturally affected. With a number of government officials getting service membership of the golf club, the officials seem to be arm twisting the race club so that their activities can go on unhindered. The then Deputy Commissioner of Mysore had caused lot of problems to the club last year before he was transferred out. This caused friction between politicians who supported the government official for their own interests and those against him. There were protests by opposition party politicians against the transfer. The Mysore Race Club was supposed to have used its clout to get the Deputy Commissioner out of the way.
Since the lease had been pending, the Public Works Department has been pressurized to serve a notice on the club to vacate its premises and the Mysore City Corporation has joined the issue by refusing to issue license to run canteens in its premises. This action of the corporation resulted in the races scheduled for Friday, December 10 being cancelled.
It is interesting to note the District Minister in-charge of Mysore Ramdas has issued a statement that the government officials cannot be so high handed in their dealings with the club and that his consent was needed for any action.
For those who may not know the background of more than century old Mysore Race Club, the land actually belonged to the club. The land was purchased from the then Maharaja of Mysore. For strange reasons, the club, in the 80s, agreed to convert their land holding into lease of land which is the genesis of this problem.
The Mysore storm may blow over in a day or two but the fact remains that the year 2010 has troubled for most race clubs in the country in one way or the other. The RWITC had received a termination notice from the corporation for breach of its lease agreement but the club has managed to ward off the threat for the time being. The year 2013 is a crucial year for the club because in that year, the lease comes for renewal. RWITC is also facing problems with the army with regard to Pune race course. The BTC was under serious threat of closure but the club managed to get some relief in Supreme Court and the matter is pending disposal. Many race days were lost in Bangalore and Mysore due to internal disturbances engineered by people whose livelihood depends on racing.
The race goers can only pray that racing goes on unhindered and unfettered in the coming year.
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