Decision of the government to waive the hefty membership fee of the Kashmir Golf Club for the local youth and students has triggered a sense of discrimination in Jammu where such club remains out of bounds for the common people.

The decision to waive the membership fee for the youth in the Kashmir valley was taken on Thursday in a meeting of the executive committee of the club that was presided by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam.

The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Tourism Department, Secretary, Kashmir Golf Club, representatives of J&K Bank and elected Executive Member of the Kashmir Golf Club.

Pertinent to mention that the Kashmir Golf Club had been ravaged by the September 2014 floods with extensive damage to it. However, with the help of J&K Bank, the Golf Course has been revived and made playable besides becoming aesthetically appealing.

Chief Secretary observed that there was an emergent need for earmarking one of the two Golf Courses available in Srinagar for local youth and school children having a propensity for golf playing. This will also provide the youth to channelize their energies and ensure their personal development.

It was accordingly decided to earmark the Kashmir Golf Club to Golfers, Tourists and local youth of Srinagar, an official spokesman said.

Chief Secretary directed Secretary, Kashmir Golf Club to invite applications for fresh membership from the period 1 August to 31 October on a nominal fee of Rs 100 per month with no entrance fee after seeking residential proof.

A simple application will be devised by the Secretary, Kashmir Golf Club for the purpose and given due publicity in print and electronic media so that more and more youth can avail the facility of golf playing. Simultaneously, Secretary, Kashmir Golf Club will move two separate cost-effective proposals one for building a training Golf Academy and the other for maintenance and renovation of the existing building for improved amenities to the users.

Secretary, Kashmir Golf Club was further directed to take all necessary steps so that the Club is in order for resuming the operations from mid-August 2019. Director Tourism Kashmir was directed to extend required assistance to Secretary, Kashmir Golf Club in this regard.

While appreciating the efforts of the J&K Bank in the restoration of the Golf Course, Chief Secretary observed that it would now be appropriate if the Tourism Department takes over the Golf Club for its further maintenance. It was accordingly agreed that the Tourism Department will take over the Kashmir Golf Course from the J&K Bank from 31 August after working out the modalities as may be required.