Nagpur hockey ground lease cancelled, appeal by Vidarbha Hockey Association rejected

The Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) has suffered another setback over the hockey ground on Amravati Road. The Additional Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur Division, has dismissed the appeal filed by the VHA under Section 247 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, and upheld the Collector's order. The Collector's order had directed that the lease of the government nazul land be cancelled and the land taken into the government's possession.

The order was issued on September 28. With it, the VHA's appeal concerning 3.80 hectares of land stands dismissed for now. The government nazul land is on Amravati Road in Mauza Gadga, Nagpur tehsil and district. Its khasra number is 65/5 and its city survey number is 277. The land was leased to the VHA for the development of hockey and the creation of public sports facilities.

According to records, the lease has run since 1962. A renewal agreement was signed on September 24, 2007, extending it to September 23, 2037. The agreement states that the terms of the original lease continue to apply after renewal.

The nazul branch of the Collector's office had sought a report on the condition of the ground. The District Sports Officer submitted an inspection report on June 15, recording serious objections to the state of the ground.

According to the report, upkeep of the ground is unsatisfactory, with patches of soil and stones and sparse grass. There was no level pitch of the kind needed for hockey, and no natural or artificial turf. Bushes, overgrown vegetation and garbage were found along the edges of the ground.

Open drains and broken slabs were flagged as a risk of injury to players. Seating for spectators was old and inadequate. The report also noted the absence of basic facilities such as goalposts, field markings, drainage, changing rooms, toilets and drinking water. It concluded that the ground is not being maintained regularly or to a good standard.

The Additional Divisional Commissioner examined the Collector's order, the inspection report, the lease agreement, the VHA's reply and the court proceedings together, and then agreed with the Collector's findings. The order states clearly that registration as an organisation does not by itself exempt it from the separate conditions governing a lease of government nazul land.

The Additional Commissioner also observed that the pendency of the matter in court does not end the responsibility to comply with the conditions of a nazul land lease. The order records that the VHA was given a chance to present its case through a show-cause notice, so the principles of natural justice were followed.

Hearings in the case were held on August 7, September 2 and September 23. On September 23 the matter was reserved for judgment. Additional Divisional Commissioner Tushar Mathkar then issued the order on September 28.