Kashmir Golf Club members raise red flag on its functioning
Srinagar, Apr 26: Members of the Kashmir Golf Club have raised red flag over the functioning of the prestigious club and sought the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to resolve pending issues, including the nomination of the Club Chairman.
In a memorandum to CM, who is also president of KGC, the members have highlighted problems confronting the smooth functioning of the club
Respected sir, We, the undersigned permanent members of Kashmr Golf Club are writing to invite your kind attention towards the condition of this historic Club which is presently in a situation unprecedented in its 138 year history. 1 along with some of the signatories to this request, were amongst the first local Kashmiri's to be admitted in this Golf Club in the late nineteen-sixties. Today, the condition of this Club is a cause of concern for all of us, as is evident from the number of supporting signatories to this request,” a permanent member of KGC and former DGP Ghulam Jeelani Pandit and endorsed by all members of the club.
“In violation of the Club Constitution, members have been totally excluded from the day-to-day management and development of the Club, the consequences of which are reflected in the present condition of the Club. Though there appear to be many violations of the Club Constitution, the most worrying are stated below. Article 35(1) of the Club Constitution reads as follows: Until otherwise determined by the Committee, General Meetings of the Club shall be held at least in a year at such time, not being more than 15 months after the holding of the last proceedings Annual General Meeting,” it states.
“Article 35 (2;(i) further mandates that the audited accounts for the previous year are to be considered and approved by the General Body every year.The state of affairs can be gauged from the fact that the last Annual General Meeting of the Club was held in the year 2012, an
unexplained gap of 13 years and as a consequence, there has been non-constitutional approval of the accounts for this period. The exclusion of members from their right of considering and approving the Club accounts every year is a serious and gross violation of their rights expressly declared in the Club Constitution,” Pandit states.
“Under Article 37(1), each permanent member of the Club is to be notified if any altering, rescinding or adding to any of the rules or otherwise is to be affected. Having received no such notice during the period of these 1 3 years, all actions and decisions, especially with regard
to Club finances taken during this period could therefore be termed as unconstitutional and illegal. The situation is extra-ordinary and requires urgent measures to be taken failing which the Club is very likely to run aground. We have the highest regards for the Hon'ble Chief Secretary, our current Chairman and his abilities, but are also aware of the fact that due to the numerous responsibilities the post of Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir entails, it is not humanly possible for the worthy Chairman to devote the attention that the Kashmir Golf Course presently requires,” the memorandum states.
“The Club Constitution provides an alternative for such situations in Article 24(i) which reads as ". ..the Chairman, who shall be the Chief Secretary to the Government or any other person nominated by the President empowers the Hon'ble President of the Club to nominate.
We, the Club members after consulting each other are of the considered opinion that it would be in the best interests of the Club and it's members that the Hon'ble President nominates a new Chairman of the Club for the following purposes:- To take over the management of the Club and take immediate steps to provide proper facilities and services to the members; To engage in constructive dialogue with members and take their suggestions and inputs aimed at development of required infrastructural facilities of the Club, To prepare within a period of two months from the date of his nomination a detailed blueprint containing short and long term measures required for revival of the Club;
To schedule a General Body Meeting for discussing the above measures with members and conducting elections,” it reads.
“After discussions amongst us, we would like to suggest the name of Nasir Hamid Khan for nomination as the Chairman of the Club. Khan is presently functioning as the Honorary Secretary of Amar S Singh Club, Srinagar and possesses exceptional administrative qualities. His management skills have turned Amar Singh Club into a prestigious landmark of Kashmir with its members enjoying high-quality facilities and services. The members and management of the Amar Singh Club have worked together to create a success story which needs to be replicated. Khan shares a good personal rapport with a majority of KGC members and we are of the considered opinion that his appointment as Club Chairman would be in the best interests of our Club too,” the members state.
“In view of the above, we humbly request you to kindly consider the suggestion which could possibly be a first step towards the restoration of a democratic functioning of Kashmir Golf Club with members participating in the development and management,” they added.
