Land for Gymkhana Club: Govt toes BBMP line on lease period, rent

The State government has confined the extent of lease of land to Indian Gymkhana Club at Cox Town in the City to one acre and eight guntas at a revised rent as against four acres and 21 guntas decided earlier.

The Upalokayukta had sent a report to the State government to restrict the extent of land leased out to the Club to one acre and also to revise the rent.

A complaint was filed with the Upalokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi stating that the State government, in March 2008, had illegally directed the BBMP to lease out four acres and 21 guntas of valuable land to the club for a paltry annual rent of Rs 60,000. The complainant Rajanna, former MLA from Bharatinagar constituency, stated that contrary to the BBMP council resolution to restrict the extent of land to one acre and eight guntas, the government had directed the Palike to grant the entire four acres and 28 guntas.

In April 1993, the BBMP property was granted to the Club on lease with certain conditions. The State government then had directed the Club to use the land only for sports activities and not to take up any construction beyond an area of one acre and eight guntas. The lease period expired in 2008 and the Club approached the BBMP for renewal. The Palike passed a resolution to renew the lease only with respect to one acre and eight guntas for yearly rent of Rs 1.46 crore. However, the then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa-led Cabinet passed an order leasing out the entire four acres and 21 guntas to the Club for an annual rent of Rs 60,000.

Based on Upalokayukta report, the government passed an order, dated September 19, directing the Palike to lease out land, measuring one acre eight guntas, to Indian Gymkhana Club at an annual rent of Rs 2,800 per sq ft (amounting to Rs 1.46 crore) as against earlier decision of leasing out the entire four acre and 21 guntas at an annual rent of Rs 60,000.

“This land is shown as an open space in the Comprehensive Development Plan. The complainant wanted to protect this land for the benefit of children and local residents who do not have any other space for sports activities. The complainant now insists that the BBMP be directed to take immediate steps to implement the government order,” Upalokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi said.