RULES OF THE ROYAL CALCUTTA TURF CLUB
(As adopted at the General Meeting of the Club held on 31st March 2006).
Categories and Rights of Membership
1(a). Membership will consist of Club Members, Stand Members, Reciprocal and any other type of memberships that the Stewards may decide from time to time. Subject to any limit that they may be fixed by resolution at a General Meeting, the numbers of such members is unlimited; but the Stewards may at any time limit the number of any form of membership.
Ladies and Gentlemen are eligible for membership.
1(b). Members, other than Club Members will be entitled, on payment of the stipulated admission fees, to all the privileges on Race Days of the Club Members in the Calcutta Race Course, other than the facilities in the Reserve Stand (except that in balloting for boxes, Club Members shall have preference as stated in Rule 1(c)), but they shall not be entitled to any other rights or privileges of Club Members.
1(c). Club Members shall have preference over all other categories of members as regards all boxes in the Members' Stand.
Admission of Club Members
2(a). Every candidate for admission as a Club Member shall be proposed by one, and seconded by another Club Member.
2(b). Such proposer and seconder will be required to have been a Club Member for a minimum of five and three years respectively.
2(c). The election of Club Members shall be by the Screening Committee in accordance with Rules 3(a) to 3(f) and Rules 4, 5, 6 and 7(b) and shall be held at such time as the Stewards shall determine.
2(d). The Screening Committee for the election of Club Members shall consist of five Stewards and four other Club Members who will be appointed by the Stewards each year and who shall serve for one year.
2(e). The Stewards may appoint any Club Member to act on the Screening Committee to fill a permanent or temporary vacancy.
2(f). No member of the Screening Committee shall either propose or second a candidate.
2(g). Any number of elections may be held at such time as the Stewards may consider desirable at which elections any number of candidates may be elected provided that the total number of candidates elected shall not exceed the number of vacancies at the time of such elections. The list of candidates for the elections shall be closed not less than ten days before the date fixed for the interview of the Screening Committee referred to in Rule 2(c) and Rule 2(d).
2(h). If the number of candidates for election exceeds the number of vacancies, the order in which their names will be brought forward shall be determined by the Stewards.
2(i). The Stewards may postpone the consideration of any candidate for such period as they may deem fit and during such postponement, the candidate's name will retain its original place in the waiting list.
3(a). Through a letter addressed to the Secretary, the proposer and seconder shall provide all relevant details of the candidate by way of a detailed resume.
3(b). In the event the Stewards unanimously agreeing to the candidature, the Secretary shall issue the Club Membership application form to the proposer.
3(c). The prescribed application form, addressed to the Secretary of the Club, shall be signed by the candidate as well as the proposer and the seconder, and shall give the full name and address of the candidate, and his profession, rank, business or occupation and any other information that may be considered necessary by the Stewards, at their sole discretion, from time to time.
3(d). The name of every candidate for Club membership and the names of his proposer and seconder shall be exhibited in the club for ten clear days before the date fixed for the interview by the Screening Committee. A notice showing the names of candidates and of their proposers and seconders, and the time fixed for the interview shall be sent to every Club Member residing in Kolkata.
3(e). If a candidate has been previously rejected under Rule 6 or withdrawn under Rule 7(a) the fact shall be stated in the notice.
3(f). The Secretary will notify the Proposers and Seconders of the time and date when candidates can be introduced to the Screening Committee.
4. Members shall be elected by the votes of the Screening Committee in accordance with Rule 5 and Rule 6.
5. The quorum of every Meeting of the Screening Committee will be five members present in person, of which two shall be Stewards.
6. The election shall be by votes given by a show of hands and the decision must be unanimous.
7(a). The name of a candidate for Club membership may be withdrawn by the candidate or his proposer or seconder at any time before the interviews of the Screening Committee takes place.
7(b)). If a candidate's name is withdrawn under Rule 7(a) or is excluded under Rule 6, such candidate shall not be eligible for election as a member until after the expiration of six months from the date of withdrawal or exclusion.
Admission of Stand Members
8(a). Every candidate for admission as a Stand Member shall be proposed by one, and seconded by another Club Member.
8(b). Such proposer and seconder will be required to have been a Club Member for a minimum of five and three years respectively.
8(c). Any candidate who has been duly proposed and seconded may at any time be admitted as a Stand Member by the Stewards, and, if not so admitted shall be introduced to the Election Committee for election as provided in Rules 8(d) to 8(l).
8(d). The election of Stand Members shall be held at such time as the Stewards shall determine.
8(e). The Election Committee for the election of Stand Members shall consist of two Stewards and five other Club Members who will be appointed by the Stewards each year and who shall serve for one year.
8(f). The Stewards may appoint any Club Member to act on the Election Committee to fill a permanent or temporary vacancy.
8(g). No member of the Election Committee shall either propose or second a candidate.
8(h). Any number of elections may be held at such time as the Stewards may consider desirable at which elections any number of candidates may be elected provided that the total number of candidates elected shall not exceed the number of vacancies at the time of such elections. The list of candidates for the elections shall be closed not less than ten days before the date fixed for the interview of the Election Committee referred to in Rule 8(e).
8(i). If the number of candidates for election exceeds the number of vacancies, the order in which their names will be brought forward shall be determined by the Stewards.
8(j). The Stewards may postpone the consideration of any candidate for such period as they may deem fit and during such postponement, the candidate's name will retain its original place in the waiting list.
9(a). Through a letter addressed to the Secretary, the proposer and seconder shall provide all relevant details of the candidate by way of a resume.
9(b). In the event the Stewards unanimously agreeing to the candidature, the Secretary shall issue the Stand Membership application form to the proposer.
9(c). The prescribed application form, addressed to the Secretary of the Club, shall be signed by the candidate as well as the proposer and the seconder, and shall give the full name and address of the candidate, and his profession, rank, business or occupation and any other information that may be considered necessary by the Stewards, at their sole discretion, from time to time.
9(d). The name of every candidate for Stand membership and the names of his proposer and seconder shall be exhibited in the club for ten clear days before the date fixed for the interview by the Election Committee. A notice showing the names of candidates and of their proposers and seconders, and the time fixed for the interview shall be sent to every Club Member residing in Kolkata.
9(e). If a candidate has been previously rejected under Rule 11(c) or withdrawn under Rule 12 the fact shall be stated in the notice.
10. The Secretary will notify Proposers and Seconders of the time and date when candidates can be introduced to the Election Committee.
11(a). Members shall be elected by the votes of the Election Committee in accordance with Rule 11(b) and Rule 11(c).
11(b). The quorum of every Meeting of the Election Committee will be five members present in person, of which one shall be a Steward.
11(c). The election shall be by votes given by a show of hands and the decision must be unanimous.
12. The name of a candidate for election may be withdrawn by the candidate or his proposer or seconder at any time before the voting of the Election Committee takes place.
13. If a candidate's name is withdrawn under Rule 12 or excluded under Rule 11(c), such candidate shall not be eligible for election as a member until after the expiration of six months from the date of withdrawal or exclusion.
Admission of Special Members
14. If a Club or Stand Member dies, the spouse, may apply in the prescribed form addressed to the Secretary of the Club, and shall be entitled to become a Special Club or Special Stand Member, as the case may be, without any further payment until the next annual subscription falls due and shall be entitled to exercise all the rights and privileges, and shall be subject to all liabilities of the deceased spouse, save and except that a Special Member so elected shall not be entitled to attend or vote at any General Meeting of the Club or to propose or second candidates for election as Club or Stand Members. Each such Special Member shall, on payment of the annual subscription for any subsequent year, be each entitled to two badges - a Member's badge and one Ladies' badge - for their own use and for the purpose of admitting a guest to the Member's Stand on race days. The Special Membership shall automatically terminate on remarriage.
15. When a candidate is admitted or elected as a Club Member or as a Stand Member, the fact shall be notified to the candidate in writing by the Secretary. A Copy of the Rules of the Club shall be sent to such candidate on receipt of the requisite fees.
16. A newly elected member shall not exercise any of the privileges of membership until the full entrance fee and subscription for the current year has been paid. If the full entrance fee and subscription be not paid within two months from the date of election, the election shall be void.
Entrance Fee and Subscription
17(a). The entrance fee for Club Members payable on election shall be a sum not exceeding Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakhs) or Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees Three lakhs) in case of the candidate who is a registered owner with the Club and at the time of their application owns at least one full share of a horse within the age of four years and such candidate shall continue to own the said horse or any other horse or horses for a continuous period of two years after such person is elected as a Club Member.
17(b). If the Club Member commits a default in this regard the Stewards may claim an additional payment equivalent to the difference between the prevailing rate of entrance fee of a Club Member and the amount paid by such defaulting Member together with any penalty that may be imposed by the Stewards, at their sole discretion.
17(c). However, in the event of the horse dying or going out of racing on veterinary grounds, the Stewards, at their discretion, may reduce or waive this additional payment, including the penalty.
17(d). In spite of such opportunity given to a defaulting member, if such member neglects to pay the amount as stated hereinabove within fourteen days from the date of intimation given to such Member, his name shall be removed as a Club Member.
18. The entrance fee for Stand Members payable on election shall be a sum not exceeding Rs.50,000/-. In the event of a Stand Member subsequently becoming elected as a Club Member, such person shall pay by way of additional entrance fee, the difference between the amount paid on account of entrance fee as a Stand Member and entrance fee payable on election as a Club Member. Subject to the foregoing limits, the entrance fees shall be of such amounts as the Stewards may from time to time fix.
19(a). Regular Officers of the Indian Army, Navy or Air Force not below the rank of Major General or its equivalent stationed in West Bengal and the Personal Staff of the President of the Indian Republic, The Governor of West Bengal, The Chief of Army Staff, The Chief of Naval Staff, The Chief of Air Staff and the Chairman (or Senior Stewards) of any of the Turf Authorities of India, may be admitted by the Stewards as Honorary Club or Stand Members, on being proposed by one and seconded by another Club Member. They shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting or at any ballot for election of Members or to ballot for boxes
19(b). Any person whose stay in Kolkata will not extend to more than two years may be admitted by the Stewards as a Temporary Stand Member on being proposed by one and seconded by another Club Member and shall pay the annual subscription payable by a Stand Member and Rs. 3,000/- as entrance fees for each year of residence in Kolkata. Such Member shall become entitled to receive Badges in accordance with the provisions of Rule 22(b). Such member shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting or at any ballot for election of Members or to ballot for boxes. If the Member resides in Kolkata for a period of more than two years, this member may, on payment of the difference between the entrance fee payable by a Stand Member and Rs. 6,000 become a permanent Stand Member and be entitled to all the privileges of a Stand Member.
20. The Club year shall run from 1st April to 31st March.
21(a). All subscriptions other that the first subscription of any member shall become payable on 1st April each year.
21(b). Every Member resident in or within 50 miles of Kolkata will pay an annual subscription of Rs.3,600/-.
21(c). Should such a member who has paid a subscription of Rs.3,600/- not remain resident in or within 50 miles of Kolkata this member shall become entitled to claim to pay a lesser subscription of Rs.500/- from the beginning of the Club year immediately following the year of such change of residence or absence.
21(d). Any member not resident in or within 50 miles of Kolkata, but resident in India, shall pay a subscription for the Club year of Rs. 500/-, but may elect to pay a subscription for such year of Rs.3,600/-.
21(e). Should a member who has paid a subscription of Rs.500/- reside in or within 50 miles of Kolkata for an aggregate period of three months in a Club year, he shall thereupon pay the difference between Rs.500/- and Rs.3,600/-.
22(a). A member paying a subscription of Rs. 3,600/- shall be entitled to take part in the ballot for Boxes.
22(b). Such member shall also be entitled to receive a Member's Badge and two Ladies Badges, which badges shall entitle the holders to free admission to the Calcutta Race Course. A Member's Badge shall not be transferable. All Badges remain the property of the Club and must be returned to the Secretary on request.
23. A Member paying a subscription of Rs. 500/- for a Club year shall not be entitled to take part in any ballot for boxes, and shall pay the ordinary daily entrance fee for admission to the Calcutta Race Course. Provided that if such Member shall become liable to pay and shall pay, or if any such Member shall elect to pay, during any Club year a total subscription for such year of Rs. 3,600/-, such member shall, upon such payment, become entitled to all the privileges attaching to the payment of such subscription which shall then remain available during such Club year.
24(a). A Club Member who shall be absent from India throughout a Club year shall be liable to pay a subscription of Rs. 500/- only.
24(b). A Stand Member who shall be absent from India throughout a Club year shall be liable to pay a subscription of Rs. 500/- only.
25(a). A Club Member who on or before the thirty-first day of July of any Club year gives notice of the intention to retire from India before the first day of August of that Club year shall pay for such year a subscription of Rs. 500/-.
25(b). Such Club Member shall, so long as he/she shall remain absent from India, pay a subscription for each subsequent Club year of Rs. 500/- only.
25(c). Should such a Club Member return to India during any Club year, he/she shall forthwith inform the Secretary in writing of his return.
25(d). Such Club Member shall on such return be deemed to be resident in India and shall forthwith pay a subscription for such year in accordance with the provisions of Rule 21.
26(a). A Stand Member who, on or before the thirty-first day of July of any Club year, gives notice of the intention to retire from India before 1st August in any Club year, shall pay for such a subscription of Rs. 500/- only.
26(b). Such Stand Member, who shall remain absent from India, shall pay a subscription of Rs. 500/- only for each subsequent Club year.
26(c). Should such Stand Member return to India during any Club year, such member shall forthwith inform the Secretary in writing of such return.
26(d). Such Stand Member shall on such return be deemed to be resident in India and shall forthwith pay a subscription for such year in accordance with the provisions of Rule 21.
26(e). A list of Members whose subscriptions or entrance fees are in arrears shall be fixed on the Club notice Board on the 31st July of each year and a notice of the arrear shall be sent by registered post to the last known address of each member named therein. If the arrear is not paid by the 31st August following, the name of the Member in default shall be removed from the list of Members.
26(e) (i). If any Club or Stand Member shall, on the bill for supplies or other charges being presented for payment, neglect or refuse to pay such bill within thirty days of presentation, such member shall be liable to have such name posted on the Club Notice Board. Notice of the Stewards' intention to so post this member's name shall be sent to him by registered letter addressed to such person's last known place of residence or business, intimating that unless payment in full be made within seven days in case of a Member resident in India, but out of Kolkata and eight weeks in the case of a Member not resident in India, the name will be duly posted.
26(e) (ii). If payment is not made within the time specified, the name shall be posted, notice thereof being sent to the member by registered letter as before, and if after the lapse of seven days the account still remains unpaid, the name may be removed from the list of Members.
26(e) (iii). Upon the removal of a name from the list of Members under clauses (e) (i) and (e) (ii) of Rule 26, it shall be notified to the person concerned that such person has ceased to belong to the Club. Provided that the Stewards may, if the default is sufficiently explained and the arrear paid, restore this person's name at any time within one year from the date on which it was removed.
26(e) (iv). The Stewards may prohibit the furnishing of supplies to any member whose name is posted or who continues in debt to the Club for Rs. 1000/- two months after demand.
26(f). Any Member wishing to withdraw from the Club must send such resignation in writing to the Secretary.
If such resignation be received before 1st July the subscription paid by such member for the current Club year shall be refunded.
26(g). Should any question or dispute arise as to the amount of the subscription payable by any Member, or as to the rights of any member in respect of any subscription paid, or as to the right of any Member to receive any refund claimed by him, such question or dispute shall be decided by the Stewards, and shall be disposed of by them in such manner as they may deem expedient, anything contained in the foregoing rules regarding subscriptions notwithstanding. Such decision shall be final and binding upon the Member concerned.
Termination of Membership
27. If a member of the Club -
(a). is declared insolvent, or
(b). is dismissed from the public service, or is a subject or citizen of a country at war with the Union of India, or
(c). is found guilty by a competent tribunal of a criminal offence involving, in the opinion of the Stewards, gross misconduct, or
(d). is convicted of fraudulent practices in the Turf, or
(e). appears in the published Forfeit List as a defaulter for stakes or forfeits, or any sum of money due to the Club including any moneys due in respect of young stock purchased with financial assistance from the Club or leased by such member remains unpaid or is a declared defaulter for bets or lotteries or horse-racing,
such person shall cease to be a Member.
28(a). Any Member acting in a manner likely to bring discredit on the Club may be expelled by the vote of a majority of not less than two-thirds of the Club Members present at a General Meeting especially convened for the purpose, at which not less than 25 Club Members shall be present.
28(b). If at anytime the Stewards are of the opinion after due enquiry that any Stand Member is guilty of any conduct likely to bring disrespect to the Club or has infringed the Rules or Regulations of the Club in a manner that is detrimental to the interests of the Club, the Stewards may expel such Member and from the date of such expulsion, the Member shall cease to be a Member of the Club.
29. Persons ceasing to be Members by the operation of Rules 26(e)(i), 26(e)(ii) and 26(f) and of clauses (a) and (e) of Rules 27 are eligible for re-election, provided that all arrears due to the Club, and all sums in respect of which they may at the time be defaulters, have been paid.
No one ceasing to be a Member for any other cause specified in these rules shall be eligible for re-election.
Management
30(a). The affairs of the Club shall be managed by five Club Members, who shall be called the Stewards. The Stewards shall be elected in manner following at the second General Meeting, and shall hold Office from the 1st April next following the election till the 31st March in the following year. The Stewards so elected shall elect one of their numbers to be the Chairman of the body of Stewards, who shall be designated the Senior Steward. In the absence of the Senior Steward, on any occasion, the elected Stewards then present shall elect one of their numbers to act as Senior Steward. This shall apply both to the management of the affairs of the Club and to the conduct of races under the Rules of Racing.
30(b). No member, other than an outgoing Steward, shall be eligible for election as a Steward unless such name is proposed by two Club Members, by notice in writing, sent to the Secretary together with the written consent of such member 21 days at least before the date of the General Meeting at which the election is to take place.
30(c). The name of a member so proposed shall not be withdrawn by the proposers but such member may himself withdraw his/her consent at any time not less than 19 clear days from the date of such meeting.
30(d). In the event of the names of five members only being put forward for election including the names of those outgoing Stewards who are again willing to stand for election, no ballot shall be necessary and those five Members shall be deemed to be duly elected as Stewards.
30(e). In the event of more than five names being put forward including the names of those outgoing Stewards who are again willing to stand for election, a list of all the outgoing Stewards who are willing to stand, and of all members who have been proposed as aforesaid for election as Stewards together with the names of the proposers, shall be sent by post to every Club Member in India, who shall record his votes for any five (and neither more nor less than five) of the Club Members proposed for election on a voting paper to be sent direct to the Secretary, and there shall be no voting by proxy. Any vote cast by a Club Member otherwise than in accordance with this Rule will be rejected. The five Club Members who obtain the greatest number of votes shall be elected Stewards.
30(f). In the event of the necessary number of Club Members not having been elected Stewards, the elected Stewards may appoint Club members to make up the requisite number.
31(a). If any Steward or Stewards should die, resign or cease to be a Club Member or Club Members, the remaining Stewards (not withstanding anything contained in Rule 34) shall either appoint a Steward or Stewards in such former Steward's place or their places or, at their discretion, call a General Meeting for the purpose.
31(b). If a Steward is temporarily absent from Kolkata, or incapacitated through illness, the remaining Stewards may appoint a Club Member to act for such Steward during his absence or incapacity.
31(c). The name of every person appointed under Rule 31(a) or Rule 31(b) shall be notified in the Racing Calendar.
32. The Stewards shall have control of the Funds and of all the property of the Club; they shall also have the entire management of, and control over, the Calcutta Race Course, Stands and Enclosures, and they may make such regulations in respect thereto as they think proper and in particular they may provide for the vesting of the property of the Club or any part thereof in a Private Limited Company (of which the Stewards who are Club Members shall be the only members and directors) to hold in trust for the members for the time being of the Club.
33. They shall have the power -
(a). To appoint a Secretary and such establishment as they consider necessary for the proper management of the Club;
A Club member may be appointed to perform the duties and functions of the Secretary under the designation of Managing Member or any other designation.
(b). To decide any matter which they are empowered to decide under the Rules of Racing and their decision shall be final;
(c). To warn any person off the Calcutta Race Course or any premises over which the Club has control and to take any legal measures necessary to enforce their orders;
(d). To extend to persons visiting Kolkata the privilege of using the Club House and Club Stand and Enclosures.
(e). To authorize the Secretary to sign and execute, on their behalf, such documents as they may consider, at their discretion, necessary.
(f). To decide on reciprocal facilities with members of other clubs, at their sole discretion, from time to time. 34. In exercising the power conferred on them three Stewards, save as otherwise provided, shall form a quorum and the decision shall be that of the majority 35(a). The Stewards shall keep a proper account of the income and disbursements of the Club from all sources, a minute book of their proceedings, a record of all the referred and dispute cases which they decide, and such other books as may be necessary to show the position of the Club with reference of its property or the number of its members.
34. In exercising the power conferred on them, three Stewards, save as otherwise provided, shall form a quorum and the decision shall be that of the majority.
35(a). The Stewards shall keep a proper account of the income and disbursements of the Club from all sources, a minute book of their proceedings, a record of all the referred and disputed cases which they decide, and such other books as may be necessary to show the position of the Club with reference to its property or the number of members.
35(b). They shall lay before the First General Meeting an abstract of the accounts and concerns of the Club during the past Club year.
36(a). The Club may borrow monies for the purposes of its activities from any banks, institutions, companies or persons by way of loans or overdrafts on by issue of debentures or otherwise and may secure the repayment of such monies by mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of or by charge of other encumbrance on all or any, or the Club's assets or property movable and immovable.
36(b). The Stewards may from time to time exercise the power to borrow monies as aforesaid if and to the extent that they are authorized so to do by a resolution of the Club Members passed at a General Meeting and may secure repayment of monies so borrowed by mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of or by charge or other encumbrance on all or any of the Club's assets or property movable and immovable but shall not pledge the credit of the Club Members for such repayment.
Meetings of the Club
37(a). The Stewards shall call two General Meetings annually as soon as possible after the 1st April and 31st January respectively. Nothing contained in Rule 34 shall prevent the remaining Stewards from exercising the powers under this Rule if the number of Stewards has fallen below three.
37(b). They may at any time and they shall, on the requisition of not less than seven Club Members, call a General Meeting for Special Business, provided that a statement of the proposition which it is intended to bring forward accompanies the requisition.
38(a). Not less than 14 days' notice of a General Meeting shall be given by advertisement in one or more of the Kolkata daily newspapers. Save and except for a General Meeting for Special Business, not less than 7 days' notice shall be given.
38(b). The nature of the business to be transacted shall, if not stated in the advertisement, be notified to each Club Member residing in India in a letter, which shall be sent by post to his last known address.
38(c). If it is proposed to make a new rule, or to alter and existing rule of the Club, the particulars of the proposed addition or alteration shall be given in one or other of the ways above specified.
39. No new rule shall be made, and no existing rule shall be altered, except at a General M
eeting, and after notice as provided in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Rule 38.
40. Club Members residing in India but out of Kolkata, or residing in Kolkata or the suburbs but temporarily absent, may vote by proxy* on any matter at a General Meeting, except the expulsion of a Member or the election of Stewards.
Kolkata Races
41. The Stewards shall be the Stewards of the Kolkata Race Meeting and they appoint any other Club or Stand Members to act as Stewards.
42. All sums realized and all sums otherwise payable shall be vested in Turf Club, and the Club shall defray there from so far as the same will extend, all expenses in connection with the races, the Race Course, Stands and Enclosures, and shall provide such prizes to be run for as they think fit.
43. In these rules the words "General Meeting" shall mean Meeting of Club Members only.
*Form of Proxy
I, Mr. /Ms. A.B., do hereby appoint Mr. /Ms. C.D., my proxy, to vote for me at the General Meeting of the Club to be held on _____________________________________ .
(Sd.)_________________________
Date_________________ A.B.