by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Exclusive story
Another jolt by Modi govt.
Congress controlled clubs evicted from Lutyen's Delhi
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Feb 11
The Congress -Mukt Bharat campaign of the Modi dispensation moved a step ahead when several prestigious clubs functioning in the Lutyen's Delhi were evicted from their premises.
Be it Aero Club of India, Gliding Club of India or Ballooning Club of India, all have been evicted from the Safdarjung Airport complex from where they were functioning for 30 to 60 years. Incidentally, all these clubs were controlled by senior Congress leaders ever since their inception. Though the Safdarjung Airport has been shut down, the vast complex is used primarily for office purposes by various government bodies, tribunals and clubs.
The Aero Club of India was founded during the British regime over 100 years ago and was known as Royal Aero Club of India. After Independence, it became Aero Club of India and the Gandhis were in control as Rajiv Gandhi was a full-fledged pilot himself and late Sanjay Gandhi evinced keen interest in flying activities too. After their death, it was Capt Satish Sharma, a former Union Minister and family loyalist took control of the Club. The Aero Club of India's life members include Amitabh Bachchan which has 12 other life trustees mostly from air force and flying community. In 1984, the Aero Club's lease was renewed again for 30 years for a fee of Re one as it was a non-profit body. But the Modi government refused to renew the lease and the Club premises has been taken back by the government one fine morning.
Capt Satish Sharma who was also a pilot with Rajiv Gandhi and ruled the roast at Aero Club of India for almost 30 years and his writ ran all over flying activities in the Capital, was thrown out of the premises.
Even Vishwa Bandu Gupta who was heading the famous Ballooning Club of India, was forced to shut shop at the Safdarjung airport complex. He is also a Congressman and was a member of the Rajya Sabha. But he too was served with a notice though he had constructed a massive building on the main Safdarjung Road of the club. But the battle with the Airport Authority of India was lost as the government decided that these private clubs can't be given premium land for a song without serving any public purpose. In fact, the thinking had begun even when the UPA government was in power that these clubs should find new premises and they should conduct only training activities from the area. But the matter proceeded an a snail's pace.
With Modi government at the helms nothing works at a snail's pace, said a top official in the AAI which controls the land at the Safdarjung Airport complex. But Vishwa Bandhu Gupta proved a little smarter as he locked the building and took the Ballooning Club of India office outside the complex. He confirmed that most of the clubs have been evicted.
Even the Gliding Club of India was forced to shut shop and all the activities relating to Gliding has come to a grinding halt. The 30-year lease of Ballooning club also ended and they too were evicted unceremoniously.
The only saving grace is Delhi Flying Club (DFC) which is also under the control of Capt Satish Sharma. But the Airport Authority of India is determined to evict it on the ground that the entire area is secured and the Club is used for marriage receptions and parties. The government's prime land cannot be used for such activities, said the senior AAI official.
