JOIN USEven as they await the licence from the government, the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) is going ahead with the preparations for the races scheduled this weekend.
The licence was withheld after a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe was ordered on the club’s state of affairs.
Official sources said the licence had been cleared by the Law Department and is in front of Chief Minister Siddaramiah. With a day to go for the races, BTC will be eager to receive the nod from the chief minister.
“We are not thinking of a Plan ‘B’. The government has always stood by us and we are sure it will support us in this scenario as well,” said BTC chairman Y Jagannath.
A BTC official who met the chief minister to discus the issue on Thursday said it turned out to be a fruitful discussion and the chief minister had assured to clear the file.
Meanwhile, former chairmen of the club and the current committee members met on Thursday to try and find a solution to the matter.
“A CID enquiry shouldn’t stop the entire functioning of the club. We have followed democratic norms and elected a new chairman. The racing activities shouldn’t be stalled as hundreds of workers are bound to get affected if it happens. We have begun preparations for the races on Saturday and Sunday and we hope that we receive the government backing as soon as possible,” said a senior steward.