Corporators slam BMC chief over irregularities at RWITC……Sudhir Suryawanshi
The chairman of BMCs Improvements Committee has shot a strongly-worded letter to the civic chief asking why the corporation is not terminating its lease agreement with the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) at Mahalaxmi Race Course.
Manoj Kotak,chairman,BMCs Improvements Committee,has alleged that the RWITC has violated several agreement terms and conditions.The BMC has leased out prime land to RWITC,which in turn has sub-leased it to BJR Group that runs two restaurants on race course land Gallops and Olive.
Kotak alleges that RWITC has violated the norms and allowed the BJR Group to construct permanent brick walls,internal compound wall,permanent chairs and tables and staircase in the restaurants.
When contacted,BMC chief Swadhin Kshatriya said,We have set up a panel to probe into the violation and irregularities done by RWITC on race course land. He added that it would be inappropriate to take action before the panel report.I am waiting for the panel report so that necessary action can be taken.
Kotak said that due to the lackadaisical attitude of the civic administration,RWITC is taking undue advantage and even trying to regularise the illegal structures.If any educational and religious institution constructs any illegal structure,the BMC promptly issues a notice and revokes their occupation certificate.In some cases they even demolish the structure but nobody knows why the BMC is going slow on the RWITC Kotak asked.
A BMC official pointed out that the RWITCs lease had not been renewed by the corporation since 1994.The lease expired in 1994.An extension was given till May 31,1995 on an annual rent of Rs 20 lakh.Since then,there hasnt been any formal approval on the renewal of the lease, the official said.Sources from BMC said that it was trying to find a middle path to sort out the issue.The civic authorities are seeking legal opinion before taking final decision, a BMC official said.
* BMC has leased out prime land to RWITC,which in turn has sub-leased it to BJR Group that runs two restaurants on race course land Gallops and Olive