The long-standing controversy surrounding Tilakwadi Club, Belagavi, took center stage during the City Corporation’s general body meeting on Saturday, where it was decided that the Club should be taken over immediately. This decision comes ahead of the scheduled hearing in the Court on April 9 regarding a pending notice on the matter.
The meeting, which began nearly two hours late at 1 PM, opened with Mayor Mangesh Pawar attempting to approve the minutes of the previous session held on December 5. However, the focus quickly shifted when Deputy Mayor Vani Joshi raised the issue of Tilakwadi Club.
Law Officer Jinralkar informed the house that the matter is currently pending before the High Court but was unable to confirm whether a stay order was in place. This lack of clarity drew sharp criticism from MLA Abhay Patil, who questioned how Corporation officials could be unaware of such crucial legal details, especially when the club allegedly continues to benefit from municipal resources.
Revenue Deputy Commissioner Reshma Talikoti provided key financial data during the meeting, stating that the club owes arrears amounting to ₹2.6 crore in unpaid rent since 1957. A new notice has also been issued demanding ₹99 lakh. Despite this, the club has reportedly offered to pay a token rent of only ₹5,000 per year. A petition for a hearing on this matter has been pending for over six weeks.
Citing the terms of the tenancy agreement, which allows repossession in case of default, several corporators, including MLA Patil and Hanmant Kongali, questioned the inaction by the administration. Patil strongly recommended appointing a senior legal expert to take charge of the case and asserted that the takeover should occur during the tenure of Mayor Pawar.
He also raised concerns about the Corporation’s failure to revise the rent every 30 years as per policy, asking officials to clarify the oversight. MLA Raju Sait added to the criticism, questioning how the club obtained a bar and restaurant license despite the ongoing legal and administrative issues.
MLA Patil further proposed that, once taken over, the facility be repurposed as a dedicated women’s club. While MLA Sait emphasized ensuring all legal aspects are thoroughly verified before action, Commissioner Shubha noted that the recent notices were issued based on outdated fare rates and admitted the rent structure had not yet been updated.
Nonetheless, Patil insisted that the Corporation should proceed with repossession, citing multiple rule violations.
The April 9 hearing is now expected to be a pivotal moment in deciding the fate of the Tilakwadi Club, which has become a symbol of the city’s broader struggle with accountability and enforcement.
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Tilakwadi club gained importance in early days as like it was run only for d limited class people, n due to high hands it is running on little rent. Now there r many clubs in Belagavi, there is no need of Tilakwadi club n it shd b converted in some cultural institution.