This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 945, addressed to the Minister of Defence on July 25, 2025, regarding the use of defence land for golf courses. The question specifically asks about the authorization of golf courses for defence personnel recreation, the Air Force's use of A1 land and assets for six golf courses, the deposit of golf course revenues into non-public funds despite the use of defence land and buildings, the potential revocation of converting defence land into golf courses, and the US Club, Mumbai's use of 53 acres of defence land for golf.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth, responded that golf courses are not authorized for construction on defence land, including A1 defence land. Air Force Stations and Training Institutes maintain sports complexes and physical development areas for personnel training and sports activities. Training funds are used for the maintenance of the Army Environment Park cum Training Area, and subscription membership fees sustain sports complexes, with revenues deposited in non-public funds for administrative management. There is no proposal to revoke the conversion of defence land into golf courses. The land used by the US Club, Mumbai, is utilized as an Army Navy Environmental Park and Training Area (ANEPTA), jointly managed by the Indian Army and Indian Navy, encompassing firing ranges and an obstacle course used for various training and exercises.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: A department of the Government of India responsible for national security.
Department of Military Affairs: A department within the Ministry of Defence.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Air Force: The aerial warfare branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
SHRI MATHESWARAN V S: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question.
SHRI SANJAY SETH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence.
US Club, Mumbai, Maharashtra: A club located in Mumbai, Maharashtra using Defence land.
Army Navy Environmental Park and Training Area ANEPTA: A training area jointly managed by the Indian Army and Indian Navy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 945
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25th July, 2025
USE OF DEFENCE LAND FOR GOLF COURSE
945. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether golf courses do not fall under the scales authorised by the Government for the
recreation of defence personnel, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether Air Force uses A1 land and assets thereon for six golf courses, if so, the details
thereof along with the action taken against the concerned official for using the same;
(c) whether it is a fact that revenues of the golf courses were deposited into non public funds
although defence land and buildings were used for the golf courses and if so, the details thereof
along with the details of Defence land being used by various defence forces for Golf Course;
(d) whether the Government has any proposal to revoke the conversion of defence land into
Golf Course, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) whether US Club, Mumbai uses 53 acre of Defence land for golf and if so, the details
thereof along with the action taken by the Government against the officials for authorizing such
use?
A N S W E R
MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SANJAY SETH)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. The Golf courses do not fall under the scales authorised by the
Government for construction on defence land including A1 defence land. Air Force Stations
including Training Institutes have Sports Complexes and physical development areas to impart
training and conduct sports activities for personnel.
(c) Training funds are utilised for maintenance of Army Environment Park cum Training
Area. Sustenance of sports complexes is met through subscription/ membership fees which are
deposited in non-public funds to ensure administrative management of these facilities.
(d) No Sir.
…2/--2-
(e) The land is utilised as an Army Navy Environmental Park and Training Area
(ANEPTA) jointly managed by Indian Army and Indian Navy. It encompasses two firing
ranges and an obstacle course which is utilised by the Garrison units for Small Arms Firing,
Weapon Training, Field Craft, Obstacle Training and other sports and physical development
exercises.
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