Marine Drive gyms face legal battle with locals……Linah Baliga
Mumbai: Denied the right to play or even take a stroll on their grounds,a Marine Drive residents association is taking to court four popular gymkhanas and seeking a complete ban on marriages,exhibitions and other non-sporting activities there.
The Marine Drive (GHEF) Residents Welfare Association (MDRWA) is filing a public interest litigation (PIL) against Parsi Gymkhana,Hindu Gymkhana,Islam Gymkhana and Catholic Gymkhana,alleging that their grounds are being misused for weddings and other functions.The area residents,along with about 25-35 local cricket clubs,say they are being denied the right to play on gymkhana premises.
The Parsi Gymkhana doesnt allow us to play there at all.The Hindu and Islam Gymkhanas give us the permission,but not when weddings are on.Eighty per cent of the ground is covered for weddings and 20% for parking, said Jayesh Dhulap,a member of World 11 cricket club.
A 1999 circular issued by the revenue and forest department said that while gymkhana grounds can be let out (for not more than 30 days in a year),they should not obstruct sporting activities on the grounds.
Preparations for a wedding takes fives days.This land is reserved as a playground (PG) in the development plan.Because these gymkhanas went into financial difficulties,they began generating income by renting out grounds for weddings.They have deprived budding cricketers of their rights, said Kiran Agarwal,president,MDRWA.According to the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code,the collector cannot let out a PG for private weddings.We are moving court because the original lease agreement says they cannot have weddings on a PG.
Earlier,they allowed us to play near the wicket and pitches.But now they bar us from playing during weekends, said Tejas Sakpal,a member of Young Sports Club.
Theres major noise pollution and traffic jam.They have fenced the grounds and generators block service roads.Let aside playing,they do not allow the public to enter for a stroll, said Suresh Talreja,joint secretary,MDRWA.
Refuting all allegations,Rustom Antia,joint secretary,Parsi Gymkhana,said,Why doesnt MDRWA approach us with their issues They only believe in harassing us.There is no other source of income for us other than renting grounds out for weddings.Even senior members pay Rs 800 annually.Where do they expect us to get our income We allow net practice everyday for cricketers,except during monsoons.We spend Rs 30,000 in maintaining the grounds.
Deepak Kapadia,general secretary,Hindu Gymkhana,argued,The residents are wrong.The gymkhana is a property of the collector and we do allow outsiders.We are charged Rs 50,000 per wedding as per the lease agreement by the collector.On behalf of all gymkhanas,I say its a baseless allegation.
Hanif Shaikh,manager,Islam Gymkhana,said,MDRWA is misguiding the public.Children from Chira Bazaar,Girgaum come here and play.Our gymkhana has two cricket teams and we do allow net practice.
* GROUND RULES: Residents accuse Parsi,Hindu,Islam and Catholic gymkhanas of denying them the use of their grounds
* GROUND RULES: Residents accuse Parsi,Hindu,Islam and Catholic gymkhanas of denying them the use of their grounds