Can the Jayanagar Cultural and Civic Association open a bar and restaurant in a civic amenity site meant to be used as a community hall for conducting civic and cultural activities? This question is being posed by the Jayanagar 4th Block Residents Welfare Association. Taking strong objection to this, the association has urged the sanctioning authorities not to issue the licence. It has also appealed to the residents of Jayanagar to join them in their protest and ensure that the bar and restaurant does not come up on a CA site.
According to the association representatives, the Bangalore Development Authority had allotted C.A. Site No. 51, 33rd Cross, 9th Main Road, 4th Block, Jayanagar, meant for "Community Hall" for conducting civic and cultural activities for the residents of Jayanagar as per the Lease agreement entered into between Bangalore Development Authority and the Jayanagar Cultural and Civic Association on 27/07/1981 for a period of 30 years.
As per the terms and conditions of Lease Agreement vide para No.5, the BDA states that "That the Lessee shall use the scheduled property only for the purpose of Community Hall and shall not use it for any other purpose".
The BDA vide its letter No. BDA/1/CA/RTI/134/2007-08 dated 04/10/2007 did not permit the Association to run the Bridge Room or Bar and Restaurant. Neither does the association's byelaw have the provision to open a bridge rook or bar and restaurant vide registration no. 196/67-68 of the Registrar of Societies. According to the Jayanagar residents association's office bearers, the Registrar of Societies has made it clear, vide letter dated 09.10.2006 that gambling is not allowed inside the Jayanagar Cultural and Civic Association premises. "Despite all this background, we have been given to understand that the Jayanagar cultural association have applied for a bar and restaurant licence to the Commissioner, Excise Department and also remitted the bar licence fee," the residents welfare association President, said in an email to TWB.
(Interested can contact the Jayanagar 4th Block Residents Welfare Association on 98453 66097, email keshava@basavabalaga.com, Address: 284, 34th Cross, 9th Main Road, 4th Block, Jayanagar.)
