About Lok Bhavan Uttrakhand

 Lok Bhavan Uttrakhand

 The State of Uttarakhand (earlier known as Uttaranchal) came into existence on 9th November, 2000 as the 27th State of the Republic of India. With the creation of the State of Uttarakhand, the Raj Bhawan was temporarily established at Bijapur House situated on New Cantonment Road, Dehradun. Subsequently the Circuit House, Dehradun was redesignated as Lok Bhavan and the first Governor, Shri Surjit Singh Barnala, shifted there on 25th December 2000. The present Lok Bhavan (earlier known as Circuit House) was built in 1902. It was then called “Court House”, where the then British Governor of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) often used to reside. In the post-Independence period, India’s first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru used to stay in this building whenever he visited Dehradun. From time to time, various Presidents of India and almost all Prime Ministers, so far, have stayed in this historic building. The Lok Bhavan is situated at a height of 2305 ft. from sea level.

While the Lok Bhavan was shifted to Circuit House, the Governor’s Secretariat continued to function from Bijapur House premises till 27 July 2009, when the new Lok Bhavan Secretariat and Auditorium buildings were inaugurated by H.E. Shri B. L. Joshi (the 3rd Governor of Uttarakhand). Later, a separate Governor’s Official Residence was built in this premises which was inaugurated by Smt. Margaret Alva (the fourth Governor of Uttarakhand) on 14 April, 2010. The Old building, previously known as Circuit House, is now being used as Lok Bhavan Guest House.

The sprawling Lawns, Bonsai Garden, Nakshatra Vatika and rich floral species add to the charm and beauty of the Lok Bhavan.

The Auditorium of Lok Bhavan is a special venue where various important events e.g. oath-taking ceremonies, seminars, book-release functions and cultural programmes etc. are organised.

Uttarakhand is one of the few States in the country which can boast of two Lok Bhavans. The second Lok Bhavan of Uttarakhand is situated in Nainital. In the pre-Independence era, Nainital served as the summer capital of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) and this beautiful building, built like a Scottish castle was christened as the “Government House”. After Independence it was renamed as Lok Bhavan. The foundation stone of Nainital Lok Bhavan was laid on 27th April 1897 and the construction took two years to complete. It is built on European pattern and based on Gothic Architecture.

The designers of lok Bhavan (Nainital) were Architect Stevens and the Executive Engineer FOW Ortel. Burma teak has been used in conjunction with other versions of teak. Local stones have been used in its construction, with Ashler’s finishing. Some of the privileged occupants of the Lok Bhavan (Nainital) in the pre-Independence era include Sir Antony Mac Ddonald, Sir James, Sir John Misten, Sir Harcourt Butler, who were the then Governors of the United Provinces. In the post-Independence period, Smt. Sarojini Naidu, the first Governor of Uttar Pradesh, was the first occupant of this historic monument.

Abutting the Lok Bhavan is 160 acres of forest land which has a number of faunal species, besides large number of floral varieties. The Lok Bhavan (Nainital) also has a Golf Course spread over 45 acres. The Golf Course, built in 1936, is one of the vintage golf courses in India, and is affiliated to the Indian Golf Union (IGU). Tourists can enjoy a game of golf after paying a small green fee.

Lok Bhawan Nainital

Brief Introduction

Brief – Rajbhawan Golf Course Nainital

Rajbhawan Golf Course was developed in the year 1926, during ‘RAJ’ days as a part of the 220 acre Raj Bhawan estate also known as Government House. This course was the exclusive preserve of the erstwhile United Province and subsequently Uttar Pradesh. In the year 1994, the course was opened to the public. In Nov. 2000, after the creation of Uttaranchal(now Uttarakhand), the golf Course became a part of residence of the Governor of new state.

The course itself is a connoisseur’s delight. It is a short par 61 course with the regulation 18 holes and 18 Tees covering a distance of about 3.2 kms. What the course lacks in length makes-up for the other technical challenges including the use of browns instead of the obligatory greens on 13 holes. It has combination of Greens and Browns. Preferred lie is permitted in fairways. Added to that the fact that on many holes one is driving up or down a hillside with no possibility of sighting the hole till the very edge of the green and one begins to treat the course with the respect it deserves.

Set in a lush and pristine mixed forest, the course is also a nature lover’s delight with many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna in residence. In May 2002, warning sign had to be posted to accommodate an anxious mother and her two new members of the leopard family delivered somewhere on the fairways, that is an exclusive hazard available to a very few golf courses in the world.

At present the facilities at Golf Course consist of a cozy clubhouse earlier known as Vohra Pavilion and there are two other Pavilions (Governor’s Pavilion & Heally’s Pavilion) strategically located to provide rest and panorama to straining golfers.

RAJ BHAWAN GOLF CLUB

In the year 1994, the course was opened to the public and subsequently ‘Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhavan Golf Club’ was formed with following aims and objectives :-

To promote golf amongst the officers and staff of Raj Bhawan

To organise golf tournaments.

To maintain and develop the golf course and surrounding area of Raj Bhawan, Nainital.

After the creation of Uttaranchal (now Uttarakhand), the golf Course became a part of residence of the Governor of the new State and subsequently a new society (Uttaranchal Raj Bhawan Golf Club) was formed with following aim and objectives:-

To promote sports culture.

To promote tourism by organising sporting events

Rajbhawan Golf Club is located in the Reserve Forest area and club house, which was the forest guard house, called “Van Chetna Kendra” renamed as “Vora Pavilion”, popularly known as club house.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLUB:- Except for the Founder members and Associate Members of the club, no new membership is being granted. Only ‘Permission to Play’ is being granted w.e.f. 30-11-2009.

HONORARY MEMBERS – Following are the Honorary Members of RBGC (Raj Bhawan Golf Club):

Chief Minister of Uttarakhand

Chief Justice of Uttarakhand

Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand

GOC- in – C, Central Command

GOC UP Area

Director General of Police, Uttarakhand

All present and former members of Executive Committee.

Fee for Permission to play –

Golfer might be granted ‘Permission to play’ only by paying the Annual Subscriptions as prevailing from time to time. At present the subscription rate are Rs. 5000/- and Rs. 3000/- per year for the Civilians and Defence/State Govt. officers respectively.”

Fee for Couples & Children-

If husband and wife both seek Permission to Play, then a discount of 25 % and for Chlildren ( Upto 18 years of age) a discount of 50% may be considered after getting approval from the President. (For the Children above the age of 18 years)- 25% of the parent’s entry fee as non refundable entry fee with a discount of 25% on the yearly subscription.

GREEN FEE NON MEMBERS

1. All service and retired personnel of Defense services and Uttarakhand Government Rs.150
2. Others :-
   1. Non-IGU members-   Rs-250/-(on week days)
      Rs-300/-(on week ends & holidays)
   2. IGU Associate members-Rs-200/-( on week days)Rs-250/-(on week ends & holidays)
   3. ForeignersRs- 800/-All days.
   4. LadiesRs. 100/- All days.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The following are the Ex-officio members of the Executive Committee of the Club.

1. President  – H.E. the Governor of Uttarakhand.
2. Vice-President – Secretary to Governor Uttarakhand.
3. Secretary  – ADC-P to Governor
4. Treasurer – Finance Officer/Controller to Governor
5. Members – Legal Advisor to Governor, ADC-A to Governor, Comptroller, Chief Security Officer

The Governor’s Golf Cup tournament is organized every year during the month of May/June. Golfers are invited from all over the country.

Organization

Organizational Chart

• HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
   • PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OR SECRETARY TO GOVERNOR
    - LEGAL ADVISOR TO GOVERNOR
    - ADDITIONAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNOR
     • GOVERNOR’S HOUSEHOLD ESTABLISHMENT
      - AIDE-DE-CAMP (ARMY) & AIDE-DE-CAMP (POLICE)
      - COMPTROLLER
        • FINANCE CONTROLLER
        • DEPUTY SECRETARY
            • UNDER SECRETARY
                  1. ESTABLISHMENT SECTION
                  2. MISCELLANEOUS SECTION
                  3. EDUCATION SECTION
                  4. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION SECTION
                  5. ACCOUNTS SECTION
        • SENIOR PROGRAMMER
          • COMPUTER CELL
        • INFORMATION OFFICER
          • INFORMATION WING
        • MEDICAL OFFICERS
         • DISPENSARY
        • CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER