Bengaluru: A special House committee headed by MLC Ravi Kumar has recommended that the Bowing Institute in Bengaluru be prosecuted for violating the law by carrying out unauthorized construction work despite it being a heritage building. It added that legal action should be taken against clubs constructing without the requisite clearances and permissions.
The committee said that clubs which have a dress code should remove the ban on traditional Indian attire. It also said that since the clubs have been allotted land at concessional rates by the government, they will have to offer membership to members of the Lok Sabha, Assembly and Council having jurisdiction.
It added that players who have performed exceptionally well at national and international level, and defense personnel who have performed great acts of bravery, need to be accommodated by the clubs.
The committee said that Constitution Club should be established immediately and land should be earmarked for it by the government at Balabrui Guest House, it should be functional with all facilities from next year. It stated that a Constitutional Club was to be established for the benefit of present and former members of both the Houses of the Legislature.
Based on a report submitted by the Public Works Department, BBMP and the Turf Club to the Joint Land Survey and Committee of the Bangalore Turf Club, it was recommended that the BBMP should calculate the tax amount and take immediate steps to recover the tax dues. Needed
The panel recommended that the Bangalore Turf Club be shifted to Jakkur Aerodrome or Kunigal Stud Farm premises, and the existing turf club space be converted into a lung space with greenery.
During a visit to the Cosmopolitan Club in Jayanagar, Bengaluru last September, the panel held a meeting with the club president and office-bearers. The President asked the government to take Rs 18 lakh that the club received from commercial shops. The committee recommended that the Bengaluru Development Authority take steps to allow 25 per cent of the amount to be used for service activities and give the remaining amount to the government.
The committee said that the clubs should adopt government schools and hospitals, as their clubs have been allotted land cheaply by the government. It states that members spend huge sums for membership which the middle and upper middle classes cannot afford. Clubs pay only 2 percent tax, which should be increased to 5-7 percent.
