DC directs Golf Club to pay Rs 8.59 cr as lease rent in 15 days
Deputy commissioner-cum-estate officer Mohammed Shayin on Saturday issued a notice to president, Chandigarh Golf Club, to deposit `8.59 crore within 15 days as lease rent from March 16, 2008, to March 15, 2014.
Deputy commissioner-cum-estate officer Mohammed Shayin on Saturday issued a notice to president, Chandigarh Golf Club, to deposit `8.59 crore within 15 days as lease rent from March 16, 2008, to March 15, 2014. "If they do not deposit the rent, the club will be sealed," said Shayin. The previous lease had expired on March 15, 2008, and thereafter a tussle had started between the club and administration over lease rent.
On November 16, 2012, the DC asked the club to pay a total of Rs 9.27 crore as lease rent. The DC then had finalised Rs 13.44 lakh per month for 2008-09, Rs 14.38 lakh per month for 2009-10, Rs 15.39 lakh per month for 2010-11, Rs 16.46 lakh per month for 2011-12, ad Rs 17.62 lakh per month for 2012-13.The club was asked to pay the rent in 2 months.
The club, thereafter, approached the Punjab and Haryana high court where the court appointed Justice Kuldeep Singh (retd) as mediator to reconcile the issue of fixation of rent. On May 19 this year, the petition of club was dismissed as withdrawn.
The DC's letter on Saturday to president of the Golf Club says that the chief engineer, Chandigarh had re-assessed the rent based on fresh analysis as per prescribed procedure under CPWD (Central Public Works Department) manual. The new assessed rent was got approved at the level of the administrator.
The revised rent from March 16, 2008, to March 15, 2013 is fixed as Rs 10.02 lakh per month for 2008-09, Rs 10.72 lakh per month for 2009-10, Rs 11.47 lakh per month for 2010-11, Rs 12.27 lakh per month for 2011-12 and Rs 13.13 lakh per month for 2012-13. This amounts to `8.59 crore for six years. The letter states that the lease rent had been calculated, assuming an increase of 7 % per year.
Timeline
November 16, 2012: Administration proposes fresh lease terms for the club, demands Rs 9.27 crore
December 21, 2012: The club sends a representation to the UT estate officer
December 22, 2012: The club sends a representation to the union ministry of home affairs
January 15, 2013: The club approaches the Punjab and Haryana high court
January 16, 2013: The HC directs the parties to resolve issue amicably, restrains coercive action
February 2, 2013: Former supreme court judge Kuldip Singh appointed mediator to resolve the lease row.
May 19: The petition of the club is dismissed as withdrawn
July 19: The administration demands Rs 8.59 crore as the lease rent for six years