MUMBAI, Aug. 1 -- In a major move, the Maharashtra government has decided to enforce stricter rules for all elite clubs and gymkhanas located on government land in Mumbai and across the state. While retaining the earlier lease charges, it has decided to increase the annual rent by 4% every year.

The government resolution (GR) for the revised policy was issued by the revenue department on Thursday. In it, the state has done away with the provision mandating gymkhanas to share 25% of their commercial revenue with it but has come out with a long list of fresh provisions that aim to give it greater control over the functioning of the gymkhanas.

For instance, it is now mandatory for the clubs to appoint 5% of Class I government officers as s...