House panel report worries members of clubs, visitors

Can't entertain legislators, aides with freebies, they say

Members of clubs in the city are not happy with the proposal made in the legislature panel report to regulate functioning of private clubs.

MLAs, MLCs and MPs will be entitled to membership of two clubs of their choice in their constituencies if the draft Bill becomes law.

A day after the report was tabled in the Assembly, members of a few clubs said ministers want to show their political might and enjoy freebies.

The committee, headed by MLA N A Haris, in its report also included a draft Bill - the Karnataka Regulation of Entry to Public Places and Regulation of Clubs Bill, 2016. The committee suggested that the draft Bill be tabled in the legislature.

“They want to show their clout to other elite members. There was once an incident where a politician was not allowed entry into a club as he was wearing a dhoti. This triggered the whole thing. These same ministers wear three-piece suits when they go abroad or when they welcome delegates,” said a member of Bangalore Club.

Some other club members said they will discuss the matter with other clubs and submit a memorandum to the government.

Legislators’ club

Shivapradeep, secretary of Bangalore Golf Club, said the whole idea is absurd. “Why do they have to interfere with the functioning of clubs. There are other pressing issues they should look into. They are already creating a legislators’ club, they can enjoy there. Will they allow anybody there? There will be restrictions. Likewise, there are restrictions in every club and discipline to be maintained,” he said.

Security issues

Frequent club-goers too are agitated. They say it is not just legislators who will come. “They will be accompanied by party workers who will be keen on freebies. The management will be forced to entertain all of them. This will lead to untoward incidents and compromise security of people, especially women,” said a visitor to Bangalore Club.

Dr Thomas A Chandy, president of Bangalore Club, said it is presently just a proposal and too early to comment. The club is a private one and is not aided by the government, so the legal aspects will have to be considered.

‘Decorum important’

Shobha Neelakantappa, president of Century Club, said the matter would have to be discussed with other members of the club. Most clubs are part of a registered society, the matter will be discussed there also. “We do not want to go against the government. We do not follow any particular dress code. But there is a decorum to be maintained,” she said.