Huda asked to stop Gymkhana banquet hall construction

GURGAON: The rent deal, which Huda had inked with a tent house to lease out an open space at Gymkhana Club in Sector 29 for commercial use, may be cancelled, sources said on Tuesday.

The move has landed Huda in controversy after club members raised question over its legality. The divisional commissioner on Tuesday directed Huda to stop the construction being carried out by the Billu Tent House with an immediate effect. The tent house is building a banquet hall on the premises of the club.

Divisional commissioner D Suresh on Tuesday held a meet with club members, who have been alleging irregularities in the agreement, and directed Huda to the construction work and review the deal.

The meet was attended by Huda administrator Yashpal Yadav, Huda estate officer-II Vivek Kalia and members of the club. "The agreement, prima facie, is legally not tenable," said Suresh. TOI had published reports on October 16 and 23, highlighting irregularities. According to the agreement, the tent house will have to pay Rs 35 lakh annually as rent and make a one-time investment of Rs 45 lakh to construct the banquet, following which it can charge up to Rs 9 lakh from non-members of the club for a day's booking and Rs 6.3 lakh from the members.

Neeraj Saluja, a club member who attended the meet, said the agreement between Huda and the tent house was in violation of theHuda policy. As per the Huda rule, non-members of the Gymkhana Club couldn't be provided any facility at the club. "The commissioner said only members should be allowed to use the services of the club, and premises of the club cannot be given to non-members on rent," said Saluja.

Vivek Kalia, estate officer-II and general secretary of Huda Gymkhana Club, said it was assumed that the agreement with the tent house was done after calling a tender. "But the assumption was not correct," Kalia said, adding that the Huda would re-verify the facts and take appropriate action.