Mumbai: The state govt will order a fresh scrutiny of the finances of National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Worli and will convene a meeting within 15 days of conclusion of the legislature session to review its outstanding dues to BMC.The assurance came from minister Shambhuraj Desai in the legislative council after members questioned govt’s handling of the long-running dispute over payments owed by the elite sports club. The issue was raised by MLC Prasad Lad. MLC Anil Parab participated in the discussion.Desai said govt will implement the recommendations of the public accounts committee (PAC) and constitute a panel to examine the club’s functioning and financial transactions. An inquiry report will be submitted within three months and further action will be taken based on its findings, he said.Junior minister Madhuri Misal said BMC had recovered about Rs 66 crore from NSCI towards its revenue share and another Rs 11 crore over unauthorised construction. She said the remaining dues were being recovered in phases.In a written reply to a starred question, deputy CM Eknath Shinde said the 70,376sqm BMC-owned plot at Worli has been leased to NSCI for 99 years since Jan 1, 1951. The club pays annual ground rent of Rs 43,572, besides additional ground rent of Rs 3.39 lakh for extra construction and changes in land use.Shinde said under BMC’s policy, lessees must share 33% of revenue earned through agreements with third parties. Following a show-cause notice issued in 2016 and audits by Comptroller and Auditor General, the civic body recovered Rs 67.7 crore, including penal interest, for 2014-20. Another Rs 5.8 crore was recovered for 2022-26 after BMC took over the stadium during the pandemic.Govt said the club had carried out unauthorised construction and changes in land use. BMC recovered nearly Rs 12 crore as penalty and levied another Rs 34.6 lakh under Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, before regularising the structures. It added that BMC is now regularly recovering its 33% revenue share from the club. —Manthan K Mehta
