The Congress has slammed the Centre's move to reclaim the IAF Sports Complex near the Prime Minister's residence, calling it an "absolute disgrace" and accusing the government of disrespecting the Air Force community.The sports complex at the Race Course Air Force Station, which had a golf course, swimming pool and other facilities, was closed last Wednesday, PTI reported. The Congress on Tuesday criticised the Centre's attempt to reclaim the land housing the Indian Air Force Sports Complex, calling the move an "absolute disgrace" and accusing the government of showing "utter disrespect" to the IAF community, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The criticism followed a media report claiming that Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had urged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to protect the Indian Air Force's control of the prime land at the Race Course Air Force Station, near the Prime Minister's residence.According to the report shared by Congress general secretary in charge of communications Ramesh on X, the appeal was made on October 26, days before the Air Chief Marshal's retirement on October 31.
He cited operational requirements and the facilities located on the land."The IAF Sports Complex has a long history and has, over the decades, served many public purposes, as well as being an integral part of the Indian Air Force social infrastructure," Ramesh said. "The Modi government's actions are an absolute disgrace and show utter disrespect to the entire IAF family," he added.The sports complex at the Race Course Air Force Station, which had a golf course, swimming pool and other facilities, was closed last Wednesday, PTI reported. The Land and Development Office, under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, issued eviction notices to the complex's management and sought the return of the land near the Prime Minister's official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.The action is part of the Centre's drive to reclaim high-value land in the area.
Over the past several weeks, the government has reviewed prime land parcels near Lok Kalyan Marg through the Land and Development Office, with a view to reclaiming plots used for defence golf and sports facilities.The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry had earlier asked the entities concerned to hand over the land housing the Air Force Golf Course.In August, the department evicted the Delhi Race Club from its 53-acre premises on Lok Kalyan Marg, citing the need for the land for an unspecified public purpose. It also reclaimed the Jaipur Polo Ground from the India Polo Association, citing broader public purposes and governance and defence infrastructure projects.The dispute centres on the Centre's efforts to reclaim prime land near Lok Kalyan Marg, including the site of the IAF Sports Complex, a move that has drawn criticism from the Congress.- Ends