Army allows RWITC to use school land I TNN
Posted on - 03 Apr 2012
Army allows RWITC to use school land
TNN
Pune: The Local Military Authority (LMA) has allowed the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) to use the bund school located on the general parade ground to train young colts, as a ‘goodwill gesture’.
The move comes after the RWITC withdrew the writ petition it had filed against the LMA in the Bombay high court, regarding a dispute over the use of land that was extended on lease to the RWITC.
The Army Southern Command issued a release stating that a meeting was held between the committee members of the RWITC and the LMA, Pune, on March 31. “A large number of issues were raised by the committee members during their discussion. The LMA, Pune, stressed upon the need of reestablishing harmonious relationship and has assured RWITC representatives of their concerns being addressed without compromising organisational interest, security and integrity of the Pune Cantonment,” the release stated.
“As a goodwill gesture the LMA, Pune, has allowed the usage of the bund school located on the general parade ground for training of young colts on a formal written request from the RWITC,” the release added.
Meanwhile, the RWITC, too, confirmed the development in a separate release issued here on Monday. “The General Officer Commanding in Chief of Southern Command Lt Gen A K Singh had an informal meeting with the RWITC chairman Vivek Jain at an equestrian event in Mumbai — the first time since the club withdrew its writ petition from the high court,” the release stated.
Jain said, “It was very cordial, as have been all his meetings with Lt Gen A K Singh. The desire to work in harmony and not to create any hindrances in the working of the horses or in the conduct of racing was expressed at this meeting.”
As a first step, the LMA has given approval for the horses to work in the “bund school” and for cars to be parked on the left side of Burnett Road near the Turf Club House, the RWITC release said.
It added that the two organisations would meet at frequent intervals to address the recent differences, which would gradually be ironed out. “The LMA has also written to the RWITC that it would respect both the lease deed and the MOUs signed by the club,” the release said.
Jain said, “We are happy that the legal conflict with the Army has been withdrawn. It is the desire of both sides to ensure racing does not suffer. The LMA desires to make a polo/equestrian field in the general parade ground, which can be used in the off season, and that is certainly desirable.
The RWITC committee is unanimous in its views on the relationship with the LMA and we are confident things will progress for the good of the sport and the club.”
