DoPT withdraws recognition of CSC

The Union Government on Tuesday upheld its decision to withdraw recognition of Central Secretariat Club (CSC), one of Delhi’s oldest clubs established in 1919, over years of administrative failures, governance lapses and the absence of a legally constituted management committee. The Govt has also directed the Directorate of Estates to initiate eviction proceedings from the Government premises. Similar actions have been taken against the Delhi Gymkhana and the Jaipur Polo Ground in the Capital in recent weeks.

The decision follows a review by a three-member committee following a Delhi High Court order directing that the club be given an opportunity to make their case against the decision. The committee examined the club’s representation and upheld the earlier decision, with the DoPT saying the withdrawal of recognition was “fair and justified”. The move marks the third time the department has derecognised the club over allegations of irregularities. Club officials, however, said they would again approach the HC for legal remedy, alleging that their representative was not given adequate time to present the club’s case.

The CSC is a registered society that operates under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Talkatora Road in New Delhi and was set up to promote the welfare and recreation of lower and middle-level Central Government employees.

In an office memorandum issued on Tuesday by the DoPT also cited complaints of internal disputes, denial of CCTV access to DoPT nominees, unauthorised occupation of Government property, alleged gambling, unauthorised canteen, encroachments and discrimination against outsourced staff. It said these issues persisted despite the appointment of an ad hoc administrative committee in 2023 to streamline the club’s functioning. The Government further said the club was no longer serving its intended purpose of staff welfare, alleging that membership had effectively become restricted and was no longer benefiting the wider community of Central Government employees.

Club officials disputed the allegations and accused the Government of seeking to take back the land on which the club stands. According to the DoPT, the club was first derecognised in 1971 following complaints of irregularities, though recognition was restored in 1972. It was derecognised again in 1983 after fresh complaints and was re-recognised in December 2005 following a review.