Corporators across party lines on Thursday ruled that the proposed municipal gymkhana at Mahalaxmi be open to the general public, while also alleging that senior civic and fire brigade officers have taken membership of famous gymkhanas in return of ignoring their irregularities.
The Hindu reported in February 2018 that the civic standing committee had passed a ₹57 crore proposal to construct a gymkhana for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officers at Mahalaxmi. The gymkhana was to have a swimming pool and badminton, tennis and squash courts. However, after the proposal was passed in the standing committee, it was rejected by the works committee and the general assembly. It then was on the backburner until the administration prodded the Sena to do something about it. This, especially because the existing gymkhana at Shivaji Park needs to be demolished for a new Mayor’s bungalow.
Leader of the House and Sena corporator Vishakha Raut moved a notice of motion in Thursday’s general assembly to reopen the matter. BJP leader Manoj Kotak moved an amendment to the original proposal demanding that the gymkhana be open to the public. “We demanded that the plot be utilised for a new Mayor’s bungalow. It is embarrassing that the Mayor has to live in Byculla zoo. Besides, why should we pay for an exclusive gymkhana when most civic officers have memberships in various clubs?” he said.
He said that at least two senior civic officers and one from the fire brigade are members of National Sports Club of India, owing to which they do not take action against the elite Worli Club. “We don’t have money to give to BEST or teachers but we are spending ₹100 crore on a gymkhana” Mr. Kotak said.
Samajwadi Party leader Rais Shaikh said, “Life membership in such clubs costs ₹50 lakh but officers get it in return of favours. This is a conflict of interest, they should be made to surrender their memberships.”
The original proposal and the amendment were both passed with majority, which means the gymkhana will be constructed at the designated site but it will not be exclusive to officers.
