Golf Club lease gives UT Admn overriding powers

Ramkrishan Upadhyay 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 16

For the first time in the history of the Chandigarh Golf Club, the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator has been given the power to appoint any golfer as a permanent member of the elite club.

Besides, the Administrator has also been given the power to overrule a decision taken by the club management if the nominated members  of the  club differ on it and  the Governor is  satisfied that the decision can damage the property occupied by the club. 

Sources said the Administration had made these conditions a part of the lease to be signed with the club soon.

The Administration has finalised an annual lease money  of Rs  41 lakh with an increase of 7 per cent every year. Under the new provisions, the Administrator can make one golfer a permanent  member and two midweek  members  every year.

The sources said in the lease, the Administration had asked the club management to make the necessary amendment to its constitution as   per the new provisions. The club has around 1,800 permanent members and 200 midweek members.

According to the constitution of the club, new members  can only be made  with the approval of the governing body. Besides, provision has also been made in the  lease for providing training to 20  players  belonging economically weaker sections. The club will also have to provide  training to young  promising  players. The Golf Club has produced many national and international golf players in the past.

The Administration had leased out the community centre building in Sector 6, 132 acres of land and a swimming pool, including its extension, to the Golf Club on August 3, 1971. The lease was extended periodically and the last extension was granted for 20 years from March 16, 1988, to March 15, 2008. The issue of fixing the lease money had been pending for 10 years.

The Golf Club moved the court after the Administration fixed the lease money Rs 1.61 crore annually in 2012. Several meetings were held between club functionaries and UT officials to resolve the issue after the High Court asked the two parties to reach a consensus on the lease amount. President of the club Ravibir Grewal said he could only  comment after getting the lease  from the Administration officially.   

No major change in lease: Finance Secy

"The new lease had been finalised after a lot of discussion with all stakeholders and sent to the Estate Officer for completing the formalities of signing the agreement with the club. Not much change has been made in the lease agreement except revising the lease amount." — Ajoy Kumar Sinha, UT Finance Secretary

Annual lease money finalised at Rs 41 lakh 

• The UT Administration has finalised an annual lease money of Rs 41 lakh with an increase of 7 per cent every year.
• Key points in the lease 
• • The club will not make any addition or alteration on the premises or any encroachment without the consent of the Administrator.
  • The club shall not sublet the premises to any other person or agency.    
  • The club shall ensure that there is no misbehaviour or mismanagement  on the part of officers and staff  appointed for the purpose of running the club.    
  • The Administration has the liberty to terminate the lease giving three  months’ notice in writing without  assigning any reason.