Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday criticised the reclamation of a sports complex within the Race Course Air Force Station near the Prime Minister’s residence, on the day HT reported that Air Chief Marshal AP Singh wrote a letter ahead of his retirement urging defence minister Rajnath Singh to protect the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s control over it.
The letter came against the backdrop of the Union housing and urban affairs ministry’s move to reclaim the sports complex. The reclamation has been controversial in defence circles. It forced the cancellation of a farewell for the outgoing air chief.
The Air Force Sports Complex (AFSC) was established in the 1940s. It was closed to members last month until further notice amid the government’s move to reclaim land allotted to the IAF. The move is part of efforts to take back large parcels of land in the vicinity of the Prime Minister’s residence, such as the Gymkhana Club and the Jaipur Polo Ground.
HT reported it first on October 28. The government has not spelt out a reason for the about 40 acres reclamation.
