Delhi Golf Club has paid ₹15.54 crore as rent since 2012, LS told

The ministry shared the information in response to a question put up by VS Matheswaran, the Namakkal MP.

New Delhi

A mausoleum at the Delhi Golf Club. (HT File)

The Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) has told Lok Sabha that the Delhi Golf Club is spread over 179 acres, and that the club has paid ₹15.54 crore as rent since 2012, as per the lease agreement with the land and development office (L&DO).

The ministry shared the information in response to a question put up by VS Matheswaran, the Namakkal MP. The parliamentarian had asked the “reasons for not increasing the lease rate by the Government in accordance with the market rates and the methodology adopted by the Government to grant membership on ‘out of turn’ basis along with the amount of fees charged for the membership”.

MoHUA, in a written response, stated that the Delhi Golf Club was established as a municipal course in the early 1930s, and was earlier known as Lodhi Golf Club and the lease of the land has been extended from time to time. “The last lease renewal for an area of 179 acres to the Delhi Golf Club was done on July 19, 2012. The amount received by way of ground rent, etc. from 2012 to date is Rs. 15,54,27,740,” the ministry said.

“The land rates operated by L&DO are linked to market value and are the basis for determining lease rates for various uses including clubs… The latest revision for Delhi Golf Club was done with effect from January 1, 2011. The Delhi Golf Club manages its own affairs as per its Memorandum of Association/ Articles of Association etc. and also grants memberships under the same,” it said.

The Delhi Golf Club, according to its website, comprises the championship 18-hole Lodhi Course, which is part of the Asian PGA Tour, and a shorter 9-hole Peacock Course.