Race Course, Delhi must be converted into a National Memorial for Farmers

Race Course, Delhi must be converted into a National Memorial for Farmers

At a time when the entire country and the parliament are discussing land acquisition, Jai Kisan Andolan would wish to draw everyone’s attention to the case of Delhi Race Club. Situated at the heart of Lutyen’s Delhi, across the road from the residence-cum-office of the Prime Minister of India, the race course is a symbol of all that is wrong with the current practice of land acquisition: forcible dispossession of farmers, unfair compensation, unfulfilled promises, unsettling of families and communities, brazen use of “public purpose” for private gains, collusion of public authorities with private entities, refusal to correct historical wrongs. Therefore Jai Kisan Andolan has decided to take this up as a symbol of our nation-wide movement against the current Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2015.

Here are the relevant facts about the Race Course:

1. This land was acquired in 1912 by the colonial government. This fell under village Malcha; a total of 1792 acres of land from this village was acquired along with large tracts of land from other villages. The Gazette Notification issued by the then Punjab government declared that the land was required for “a public purpose, namely for the new capital of India at Delhi”. (Annexure A). The farmers were offered a pittance as compensation: they demanded Rs. 1600 to Rs 2,400 per acre; the government decided to give then between Rs. 15 to 35 per acre. Reportedly, the Award also promised that unutilized land would be returned to the farmers. Historical records suggest that the farmers rejected this offer, that they were forcibly evicted without any resettlement and that most of the farmers never received even this token compensation fixed by the government. The farmers were left to fend for themselves and many of them went and settled in Sonepat district of Haryana at a place that is now called Malcha Patti village.
2. After acquisition, this piece of land was not used for any governmental building or facility. Nor was it returned to the farmers. It was leased to a private entity, the Delhi Gymkhana Race Club. (This was against the spirit of the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, which did not provide for acquisition of land for private entities). This lease was transferred to Delhi Race Club in 1940, which turned into an incorporated Public Limited Company in 1941, now incorporated under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. (Annexure B) Thus a land acquired for public purpose was diverted for private profiteering. This continued even after independence.
3. Contrary to common impression, the Delhi Race Club is not a voluntary association engaged in promotion of sports. It is a company that makes profit by promoting betting. Besides holding its own races every Tuesday, the Club also hosts betting for other Race Courses. (for example of 26 July 2015, see Annexure C). As per its Annual Balance sheets, the Delhi Race Club made a profit of Rs. 2.31 crores in the financial year ending 31 March, 2013 (Annexure D). It is alleged that the Club makes more profit than is reflected in its books. It follows strange practices like charging Rs. 4,000 as daily “Mobile Phone Permission” (as against an Entry Fee of Rs. 60 without the phone!). This dubious charge was the single largest source of income for the Club in 2012-13. Though it claims to have future plans to “improve racing as a sport and not just a betting product”, its recent Annual Reports do not reflect any significant activity for promotion of horse-racing as sports. In fact, it hints at the possibility of leasing out a part of its estate for “commercial purpose”. It is safe to conclude then that this is a gambling facility being run on public property.
4. What is really shocking is that the Club has been allowed to carry on its operations although its lease expired in 1998 and has not been renewed since. The Land and Development Office (L&DO) of the Ministry of Urban Development promptly served an eviction notice to the Club on 25 October 1999 but after that the public authorities have been strangely lax. The Club initially got an injunction against eviction from the High Court of Delhi. The Club claims that the final order of the High Court of Delhi dated 9 July 2012 “directed that the matter be considered afresh” (strangely, a copy of this order is not available on the website of the High Court or on other reputable data banks). The Club claims that the “L&DO department has agreed to renew and regularise the lease of Delhi Race Club on payment of dues of the department”. (Annexure E) The Club is seeking extension of its lease up to 2050. This sequence of event shows that even after the lease expired and the government could take the land back, it chose not to do so. This hints at deeper collusion of public authority with private interests.It should be noted that the Club has government nominees on its Managing Committee, including the Deputy Commissioner of New Delhi and the Commissioner Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax (Oddly, the Club has a running legal battle with this very department) The photographs of VIPs that participate in the events held here in the Annual Reports of the Club indicate that the Club enjoys political patronage. (Annexure F)

It is clear that the Race Course symbolizes much of what is wrong with the practice of land acquisition. Use of acquired land for gambling for private profit is a travesty of “public purpose”. That it should happen right opposite the office-cum-residence of the Prime Minister of the country is nothing short of a public scandal.  That the Club should continue its operations after the expiry of its lease suggests collusion with the government.

Delhi Race Club is not an exception. Experience of the operation of Land Acquisition Act has shown that there is widespread misuse of land acquired under “public purpose” for private benefits. Jai Kisan Andolan proposes to bring out further details in the public domain of the misuse of land acquisition. For us the Race Course is a symbol, a powerful symbol, of the perils of land acquisition, especially of extending land acquisition for private entities as proposed by Land Acquisition (amendment) Bill.

Therefore, Jai Kisan Andolan has decided to serve a Public Notice to the Prime Minister calling upon him to immediately

1. Evict Delhi Race Club from this land so as to end this shocking misuse of public property for private profiteering;
2. Use this land for a truly public and noble purpose of creating a National Memorial for Farmers so as to commemorate those farmers who sacrificed their lives in our Freedom Struggle beginning with 1857, those farmers who lost their lives and livelihood in forcible acquisition in independent India; and those farmers who were forced to commit suicide due to discrimination against and neglect of agriculture by the successive governments;
3. Use the remaining part of this land for promotion and propagation of sustainable agriculture by way of a “kisan-haat” where farmers can directly sell safe and healthy organic food; and
4. Rename the “Race Course” Metro Station as “Malcha” Metro Station to commemorate the village and the villagers who underwent untold sacrifices in the making of Luyten’s Delhi.  

This piece of land which today is a symbol of expropriation of the farmers for the indulgence of our colonial masters and their Indian successors should become a national symbol of acknowledgement of historic wrongs and a beacon for the future of Indian farmers.

On behalf of the farmers and citizens of India, the Jai Kisan Andolan has served a notice to the Prime Minister. We expect the government to respond within two weeks, by the evening of 9^th August (International Day for the Indigenous People and the day of the great August Kranti), failing which we would be constrained to find other peaceful and democratic ways to achieve the demands stated above.

Jai Kisan Andolan is a movement launched by Swaraj Abhiyan. It seeks to mobilise farmers and non-farmer citizens of India to demand, among other things, withdrawal of Land Acquisition (amendment) Bill. It has reached thousands of villages and has collected Kalash containing earth from the field in that village. The Andolan is supported by more than 40 farmers organisations across the country. Its Jai Kisan March begins on 1^st of August from village Thikriwal in Barnala (Punjab) and concludes with a rally at Jantar Mantar on 10^th of August.

Notice to Prime Minister:

Swaraj Abhiyan 

A-189, Sec-43, Noida UP
swarajabhiyan.org

  

FORMER PRESIDENT APJ ABDUL KALAM PASSES AWAY

FORMER PRESIDENT APJ ABDUL KALAM PASSES AWAY

PM Narendramodi and three Service Chiefs to receive the mortal remains ofAPJAbdulKalam in Delhi

Assam CM @tarun_gogoi laying a wreath on former President APJ Abdul Kalam’s casket in Guwahati earlier this morning

IAF flight with Dr Kalam’s mortal remains lands in Delhi
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam passed away in Shillong yesterday evening. He was 83. Known as People’s President, Dr Kalam breathed his last at a hospital in Meghalaya’s capital at 7.45 PM. The former President was rushed to the Bethany hospital after he collapsed during a lecture in the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. His body is being flown to New Delhi from Guwahati this morning. Considered as most popular President, Dr Kalam was the 11th head of the state and occupied the post between 2002 and 2007 during the NDA government headed Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Both the Houses of Parliament paid glowing tributes to former President A P J Abdul Kalam. The Lok Sabha has been adjourned for two days and the Rajya Sabha for the day as a mark of respect to Dr Kalam.

Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan said there will be no sitting tomorrow to enable the members to attend the funeral of Dr Abul Kalam at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. She said the House will meet again on Thursday.

Making an obituary reference, Mrs Mahajan said Dr Kalam was one of the country’s unique personalities who embodied rare intellectual brilliance, undying scientific zeal and above all a great human being with love and compassion. She said in the death of Dr Kalam, the country has lost sagacious statesman, a great scientist and a friend of the under privileged and a fine human being, who strove all through his life for building a progressive, rational and egalitarian society. Mrs Mahajan said Dr Kalam was a real gem of India.

Making an obituary reference in the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari said the country has last a true son of India and his contributions to the nation, in his capacity as a man of technology, a teacher and a leader will be deeply cherished by a grateful nation. Mr Ansari said Dr Kalam was a guide to India’s space and missile programs and his efforts saw India become a front-ranking power in these spheres. His death is an irreparable loss to the country.

A pall of gloom descended on Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, the native place of Dr Kalam, as the news about his death reached his elder brother and other relatives. A large number of people gathered in front of the former President’s house to offer their condolences and mourn his death.

Government has announced a 7-day state mourning throughout the country as a mark of respect to the former President. An official statement said New Delhi that during the period of the mourning, the national flag will fly at half-mast on all the buildings throughout the country where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment.

President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker and a host of dignitaries have condoled the death of Dr Kalam. In a message, President Pranab Mukherjee said Dr Kalam was immensely popular and greatly admired and his warmth, humility and simple ways endeared him to one and all. Mr Mukherjee said, Dr Kalam had a special love for children and sought to constantly inspire the youth of the country through motivational speeches and personal interaction.

Vice President Hamid Ansari said, Dr Kalam was a true son of India and his contributions to the nation, in his capacity as a man of technology, a teacher and a leader will be deeply cherished by a grateful nation. He said, Dr Kalam was the guide of India’s space and missile programs and his efforts saw India become a front ranking power in these spheres.

In his message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, India mourns the loss of a great scientist, a wonderful President and above all an inspiring individual. He said, Dr Kalam enjoyed being with people and people and youngsters adored him. Mr Modi said, he loved students and spent his final moments among them.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said, Dr Kalam was the missile man of India and after relinquishing the charge of President of India, he relentlessly taught science to the youth of our country. She said, in his death, the country has lost a true patriot, world renowned scientist and original thinker who served the nation with distinction.

Union Cabinet has expressed profound sorrow at the sad demise of former President of India, DrAPJ Abdul Kalam. In a resolution passed at a special Cabinet Meeting this morning, it said, in his passing away the country has lost a visionary scientist, a true nationalist and a great son. The Cabinet met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended its heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the Government and the entire nation. The resolution said, Dr. Kalam made significant contribution in developing India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle and made India an exclusive member of Space Club. Popularly known as the Missile Man of India’, Dr. Kalam was responsible for the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI Missiles. He gave thrust to self-reliance in defence systems by introducing Light Combat Aircraft.

The resolution said, Dr. Kalam was passionate about transforming society through technology, in particular by inspiring the youth of India to harness science and technology for human welfare. It also said, during his tenure, he was affectionately known as the People’s President.

The Congress also expressed grief over the demise of former President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam. Talking to reporters, party Vice President Rahul Gandhi said, Dr Kalam was people’s president who had the ability to connect with the country’s youth. Mr Gandhi said, Dr Kalam dedicated his life in the nation building. The Congress Vice President said, people of India will always miss Dr Kalam’s thinking and vision.

BJP President Amit Shah, Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior BJP leader LK Advani have also condoled the death of Dr Kalam.

Born in a humble family on 15th October in 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, A P J Abdul Kalam went on to become the People’s President of India. The Aeronautical Engineer from Madras Institute of Technology is considered the brain behind India’s missile programme.

During his tenure as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister from July 1992 to December 1999, he led the weaponisation of strategic missile systems and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, which made India a nuclear weapon state. In 1997, Dr Kalam was conferred Bharat Ratna,the highest civilian awards.

He became the 11th President of India in 2002, with a focus to transform India into a developed nation by 2020. In a recent interview to All India Radio, Dr Kalam said, India will be an economic leader if agriculture, small scale industries, and solar power are developed simultaneously.

Dr Kalam authored numerous inspirational books including India 2020, Wings Of Fire and Ignited Minds. He utilised every opportunity that came to him to address students, especially school children, to dream big. To his last day, Dr Kalam was zealous in his pursuit of igniting young minds. His passing away is the end of an era.

India Signs Loan Agreement with ADB worth $300 Million

India Signs Loan Agreement with ADB worth $300 Million to support the Government’s Flagship Program, The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed a $300 million loan to support the government’s flagship program, the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) that is aimed at improving the health status of the country’s urban population.

The loan – Supporting National Urban Health Mission – will reinforce ongoing government efforts under the NUHM to develop health systems in urban areas that can deliver quality health services and that reach the urban poor and vulnerable. It will focus on strengthening primary health care and also promote better coordination between health and urban sectors and opportunities for public-private partnerships.

“The program’s due attention to achieving convergence across key sectors that affect urban health, and to actively involve urban local bodies in planning and delivery of urban health services, is commendable,” said Shri Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India who signed the agreement on behalf of Government of India.

“The use of ADB’s results-based lending modality will strengthen NUHM systems and overall results orientation, while allowing states the flexibility they need to pursue targets that they need locally,” said M. Teresa Kho, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, who signed the agreement on behalf of ADB.

Shri N. B. Dhal, Joint Secretary (NUHM) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, signed the project document on behalf of his ministry. The signatories to the loan also signed the accompanying capacity building technical assistance of $2 million, financed by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.

Significant capacity building and mechanisms for learning and innovation are also in-built to enhance NUHM systems, management capacity, and implementation processes.

India is urbanizing rapidly, bringing a massive growth of urban poor. Disparities in health status between the poor and non-poor in urban areas are large, due to the adverse living conditions of the urban poor and their limited access to good basic health services. There are few preventive and primary health services in urban areas, while millions of people are faced with poverty every year due to high costs related to health care.