PAC wants Karnataka Golf Association lease rent hiked

Bengaluru: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that the government hike the lease rent payable by the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) from 2% of its gross annual income to a minimum of 25%. 

The PAC, headed by senior BJP lawmaker C C Patil, decided this at its meeting on Tuesday. 

Established in 1973, the KGA is spread across 124 acres of land in Challaghatta, which belongs to the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC).

The KGA entered into a lease agreement with KSTDC in May 2018 for a period of 30 years commencing from May 2010. In 2023-24, the KGA paid land lease rent of Rs 1.06 crore. 

The PAC has sought a report from the government on the utilisation of the KGA land.

“The land was given for the purpose of promoting tourism. A report has been sought on whether or not this purpose has been fulfilled,” a PAC source said. 

It is also said that the PAC recommended that the government exert more control on the affairs of the KGA. The KGA has 4,500 members.