Govt wrote thrice to Delhi Gymkhana since Sept last year to clear Rs 48-crore rent

NEW DELHI: Amid the controversy over a govt order to take over Delhi Gymkhana Club (DGC) premises, it has come to light that the Land and Development Office (L&DO) had written three letters to the club management since Sept last year to clear around Rs 48 crore in rent that DGC owed to it.The latest notice was issued last month, barely weeks before L&DO issued the eviction order, which TOI reported on Sunday.Some club members said they were not intimated about the pending due earlier. “Only a few weeks back there was a discussion on how to deal with this. If there was a long-pending due, the govt-appointed general committee (GC) managing the affairs of the club should have paid it,” said a former DGC president.There was response to queries sent to two govt-appointed GC members on why the due was not paid and club members were not informed.People aware of the development said the last letter had mentioned that failure to pay the due within seven days would constrain L&DO to initiate re-entry (take back) proceedings for the premises.Meanwhile, GC has written to the L&DO to consider “there should be no dislocation” of the club and its operation until there is clarity on issues. It sought to know whether there was any plan to allocate a substitute plot and urged govt to consider this.GC also suggested govt to consider investment made towards improving infrastructure and facilities, and the cost for building fresh facilities in case of relocation. It urged L&DO to protect the interests of employees and staff.