The Karnataka Government has reportedly informed the Bangalore Turf Club authorities in no uncertain terms that the club would be given only three years time to relocate without any allotment of alternate land subject to the signing of an agreement to this effect. The Chairman of the club and the government nominees were summoned by the government to convey this decision.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court had adjourned the Special Leave Petition of Bangalore Turf Club last week which has been pending for the last several years to November 25 asking for Karnataka Government`s response to the statement made by the club`s counsel that they were in the process of arriving at a settlement and that the government had promised to give it land and other benefits to re-build a Greenfield racecourse. The government has told the club that the Supreme Court will be apprised of the position if the agreement was signed by the club failing which the court will be called upon to give its verdict.

A few years back, the then Yeddyurappa government had refused to renew the lease of land and asked the club to relocate. The government had shown a few places but all the land shown had been rejected by the club. Instead the club went to High Court against the government`s refusal to renew the lease claiming that the land on which the race course is located rightfully belonged to them by right. The High Court pronounced an adverse judgment asking the club to relocate in six months without putting any terms and conditions for the government. The club then filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court. Since the Yeddyurappa government fell soon after, the government did not actively pursue the matter in the court and the matter has dragged on for a few years. With the matter posted for final disposal, the club is on tenterhooks. After the government files a statement before the court as to its plans, the matter will be posted for arguments after which the judgment will be pronounced.

The Bangalore Turf Club on its part has not taken any steps to seek a permanent solution though the move to shift the race course is not a recent one. Instead it is banking on the length of time they can delay the matter in the Supreme Court which could be self-defeating because such a step is fraught with danger if the High Court verdict is upheld. Recently the government had directed the club to increase its present membership from 350 to 500 but the members who enjoy facilities that would benefit a king by paying a ransom of Rs 250 per year did not vote for the resolution which was required to increase the membership. Instead the resolution was postponed sine die after substantial members canvassed against any move to increase the membership.

Unfortunately all the racing administrators in the country, with the honorable exception of Hyderabad Race Club, never thought of buying its own land and build a race course instead of depending on the mercy of the government. The clubs could have done so when land prices were cheap. Bangalore Turf Club was offered excellent alternate lands by the previous government but the slum dwellers attitude of refusing to move for better facility has put the club in a tricky situation.