After signaling a tough stand of halting races at Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) over pending rent payment, the state government said on Monday that authorities would not shut the operations, but they would move swiftly to recover dues.
The decision, seen as a major climb-down, was taken at a cabinet meeting. Law and parliamentary afairs minister JC Madhuswamy chited legal challenges in talking drastic action.

"We took the decision to recover only dues (and not shut the activities) as the club has obtained a status-quo order from the Supreme Court. The advocate general opined that neither the recovery of dues not the eviction would be easy in the view of the court order." he said. "However, the cabinet has decided to recover dues immediately"

BTC sits on government land and it owes the state Rs 37 crore in rent. The Public Accounts Committee of the state legislature had accused the turf club of illegal occupation and directed the government to top all activities there from December 2. But the cabinet, headed by BS Yediyurappa, has decided to recover dues without a crackdown.
Madhuswamy said the government would take steps for speed disposal of the case in the apex court. "Only after that, a decision on closure of the club will be taken, "he said, adding that the government was firm on shifting the club from its
current venue as part of long-term plan.

PAC chairman of senior congress legislator HK Patil welcome Monday's decision saying the committee had directed officials to recover dues quickly.

Meanwhile, the cabinet on Monday decided to renew the lease period of Mysuru Turf Club for 30 years from August 1, 2016. "The government has fixed 2% of the club's gross revenue as rent." the minister said adding that the rental of the Jayachamarajendra Golf Club, Mysuru, had been fixed through a similar method.