The Indian army has developed a lucrative sideline in running luxury golf courses on rent-free government land, the nation's auditor has
claimed in a damning new report on corruption.
The Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) found that at least 32 square kilometres of rent-free land had been handed to a privately run company, Army Zone Golf, which operates 97 luxury golf courses.
The auditor also found the army had bought golf carts and passed them off as noiseless reconnaissance vehicles or wheelchairs, CAG's director-general for defence services, Gautam Guha, said.
The Defence Ministry is the largest state landowner holding 7,000 square kilometres of government land, much of it now prime real estate, according to the CAG report.
In a catalogue of allegations related to the scam, the report said golf memberships are being sold to civilians and foreign nationals, with revenue credited to a private regimental fund that could not be accessed by the auditors.
Army authorities "earn large amounts of revenue by allowing persons other than service personnel to use these facilities," the report said.
"Heavy amounts of revenues were being earned without paying any lease rent and allied charges for use of government assets," it added.
The CAG also criticized the army for turning over vast swaths of land to entrepreneurs to build private members' clubs and luxury shopping complexes in various cities.
The report noted that land in four cities was "leased out to various clubs at nominal rates" and was "utilized for unauthorized commercial purposes like marriages, parties and exhibitions" involving civilians.
Army Zone Golf says it promotes the sport among the armed services and runs "some of the most spectacular golf courses of India," according to its website.
Army spokesman Om Singh said that "it was totally wrong" to suggest that civilians were allowed to be members of the clubs.
"These areas are parks which include golf courses. Army men like to play golf. What's wrong with that? And these areas are very beautiful," he said.
Responding to the allegations of golf carts being brought in under the guise of wheelchairs, he said he was aware of the incident but declined to comment further.
The CAG's account of the misuse of public land will add to growing worries about the military's slide into corruption following a string of recent scandals.
In January, the government ordered a 31-storey apartment block in Mumbai to be demolished after it emerged army officers and local politicians had usurped apartments originally meant for war widows.
The Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) found that at least 32 square kilometres of rent-free land had been handed to a privately run company, Army Zone Golf, which operates 97 luxury golf courses.
The auditor also found the army had bought golf carts and passed them off as noiseless reconnaissance vehicles or wheelchairs, CAG's director-general for defence services, Gautam Guha, said.
The Defence Ministry is the largest state landowner holding 7,000 square kilometres of government land, much of it now prime real estate, according to the CAG report.
In a catalogue of allegations related to the scam, the report said golf memberships are being sold to civilians and foreign nationals, with revenue credited to a private regimental fund that could not be accessed by the auditors.
Army authorities "earn large amounts of revenue by allowing persons other than service personnel to use these facilities," the report said.
"Heavy amounts of revenues were being earned without paying any lease rent and allied charges for use of government assets," it added.
The CAG also criticized the army for turning over vast swaths of land to entrepreneurs to build private members' clubs and luxury shopping complexes in various cities.
The report noted that land in four cities was "leased out to various clubs at nominal rates" and was "utilized for unauthorized commercial purposes like marriages, parties and exhibitions" involving civilians.
Army Zone Golf says it promotes the sport among the armed services and runs "some of the most spectacular golf courses of India," according to its website.
Army spokesman Om Singh said that "it was totally wrong" to suggest that civilians were allowed to be members of the clubs.
"These areas are parks which include golf courses. Army men like to play golf. What's wrong with that? And these areas are very beautiful," he said.
Responding to the allegations of golf carts being brought in under the guise of wheelchairs, he said he was aware of the incident but declined to comment further.
The CAG's account of the misuse of public land will add to growing worries about the military's slide into corruption following a string of recent scandals.
In January, the government ordered a 31-storey apartment block in Mumbai to be demolished after it emerged army officers and local politicians had usurped apartments originally meant for war widows.