KSCA lease amount is too less, says Satish Jarkiholi

The Public Works Department minister said that KSCA pays Rs 19,000 a year, or less than Rs 1,600 a month.

Bengaluru: A day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would examine shifting the Chinnaswamy stadium out of Bengaluru, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Monday hinted that his department might review the lease given to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).

The stadium is located on land belonging to the public works department.

The stadium is spread over 16 acres and 32 guntas -- out of a total parcel measuring 17 acres 11 guntas. It was leased to the KSCA for 99 years starting from July 1969.

“I have asked for the file. I want to check when their lease ends. The lease has been renewed twice, each time for 30 years,” Satish said. “The lease amount is too less,” he added.

The KSCA pays Rs 19,000 a year, or less than Rs 1,600 a month.

In 2005, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) pulled up the PWD for failing to do its job in collecting the rent as per the prevailing market value. "No grounds had been made out for subsidising the rent and the terms of lease did not provide for any enhancement of rent," the audit said. The CAG estimated that as of April 2005, the government had foregone Rs 202.78 crore revenue.

In September 2012, the PWD assistant executive engineer submitted a revised calculation of rent for the KSCA. Based on the guidance value at the time, the official calculated the annual rent amount at Rs 78.70 crore.

On Sunday, Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysuru that his government would think about demands to shift the Chinnaswamy stadium. “We will examine this. We'll have to find another venue,” he said.

Satish said the Cabinet will have to decide on shifting the stadium. “It’s not something that my department can decide,” he said.

When asked if his department would provide alternative land, Satish said: “They (KSCA) are rich enough to buy 100 acres of land. Back then, they needed land, so we provided it.”