<p>The state government, till recently determined to evict the Bangalore Golf Club, suddenly decided last month to extend its lease by 30 years.</p>.<p>Several politicians and bureaucrats are now reaping the benefits of that U-turn, with out-of-turn memberships coming their way.</p>.<p>In an order dated March 6, just weeks before the model election code of conduct kicked in, the government announced the extension, making a surprise departure from its earlier stand that the club would have to up and go since its 50-year lease had expired in 2021.</p>.<p>The change came, insiders allege, after the club generously offered permanent memberships to ‘certain individuals’ who will jump a long queue, and save 15 to 20 years in the process. A brazen quid pro quo is at work, they told <em><span class="italic">DH</span></em>.</p>.<p>A club document says these influential members, some of whose names remain confidential, are expected to contribute to the “smooth functioning of the club.”</p>.<p>Golf Club Captain A C Suresh Chandra and Secretary D N Vasanth Kumar did not respond to phone calls and text messages seeking their comment.</p>.<p>Papers reviewed by DH show that the government has extended the lease for 59 acres and 18 guntas, the full extent of land where the club is functional, till 2051.</p>.<p>The land abuts Kumara Krupa Road and Sankey Road, and is located a short distance from Vidhana Soudha. The government has fixed the annual rent at 2 per cent of the club’s gross income. It will also collect a 10 per cent cess retrospectively from 2013-14.</p>.<p>The order mandates the club to include a government nominee (of the rank of additional chief secretary or principal secretary or secretary of the Public Works Department) on its managing committee.</p>.<p>It says the memberships are intended to ensure that “no illegal activities” take place in the club. But such a change in membership rules, however, requires an amendment to the club’s bylaws.</p>.<p>Interestingly, the order came barely three months after the government slapped eviction notices and cancelled the club’s liquor licence.</p>.<p>In 2022, the Public Accounts Committee of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had also recommended that the club be moved out.</p>.<p><strong>Backdoor entry</strong></p>.<p>Insiders suspect MLAs and IAS officers are getting a backdoor entry to the club. Membership to the prestigious club is mostly restricted to golfers.</p>.<p>This decision came at a time when over 5,000 applicants under various categories are still on the waiting list. Professional golfers such as Aditi Ashok, C Muniyappa, S Chikkarangappa and C Dharma, who have made India proud, were not given out of turn membership as offered to certain VIPs.</p>.<p>The current waiting period, determined by domicile and golfing experience, is between 15 and<br />25 years.</p>.<p>Some members are objecting to the agenda, saying out-of-turn memberships could open the door for corruption and invite arm-twisting by future governments.</p>.<p>“It sets the wrong precedent because every new government will misuse the new norm,” a member said, requesting anonymity.</p>
<p>The state government, till recently determined to evict the Bangalore Golf Club, suddenly decided last month to extend its lease by 30 years.</p>.<p>Several politicians and bureaucrats are now reaping the benefits of that U-turn, with out-of-turn memberships coming their way.</p>.<p>In an order dated March 6, just weeks before the model election code of conduct kicked in, the government announced the extension, making a surprise departure from its earlier stand that the club would have to up and go since its 50-year lease had expired in 2021.</p>.<p>The change came, insiders allege, after the club generously offered permanent memberships to ‘certain individuals’ who will jump a long queue, and save 15 to 20 years in the process. A brazen quid pro quo is at work, they told <em><span class="italic">DH</span></em>.</p>.<p>A club document says these influential members, some of whose names remain confidential, are expected to contribute to the “smooth functioning of the club.”</p>.<p>Golf Club Captain A C Suresh Chandra and Secretary D N Vasanth Kumar did not respond to phone calls and text messages seeking their comment.</p>.<p>Papers reviewed by DH show that the government has extended the lease for 59 acres and 18 guntas, the full extent of land where the club is functional, till 2051.</p>.<p>The land abuts Kumara Krupa Road and Sankey Road, and is located a short distance from Vidhana Soudha. The government has fixed the annual rent at 2 per cent of the club’s gross income. It will also collect a 10 per cent cess retrospectively from 2013-14.</p>.<p>The order mandates the club to include a government nominee (of the rank of additional chief secretary or principal secretary or secretary of the Public Works Department) on its managing committee.</p>.<p>It says the memberships are intended to ensure that “no illegal activities” take place in the club. But such a change in membership rules, however, requires an amendment to the club’s bylaws.</p>.<p>Interestingly, the order came barely three months after the government slapped eviction notices and cancelled the club’s liquor licence.</p>.<p>In 2022, the Public Accounts Committee of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had also recommended that the club be moved out.</p>.<p><strong>Backdoor entry</strong></p>.<p>Insiders suspect MLAs and IAS officers are getting a backdoor entry to the club. Membership to the prestigious club is mostly restricted to golfers.</p>.<p>This decision came at a time when over 5,000 applicants under various categories are still on the waiting list. Professional golfers such as Aditi Ashok, C Muniyappa, S Chikkarangappa and C Dharma, who have made India proud, were not given out of turn membership as offered to certain VIPs.</p>.<p>The current waiting period, determined by domicile and golfing experience, is between 15 and<br />25 years.</p>.<p>Some members are objecting to the agenda, saying out-of-turn memberships could open the door for corruption and invite arm-twisting by future governments.</p>.<p>“It sets the wrong precedent because every new government will misuse the new norm,” a member said, requesting anonymity.</p>