Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has formed a three-member committee to probe into alleged irregularities in Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
The three-member committee comprising Principal Secretary (Vigilance) Chetan B Sanghi, Secretary (Education and Sports) Punya S Srivastava and law Officer Rahul Mehra have been asked to complete the probe by Saturday itself.
"Some serious complaints have been received in the office of Chief Minister regarding irregularities/wrong doings against DDCA, some of its officials and members. The three-member committee will report among other things (i) a summary of the irregularities/wrong doings if any by the DDCA, its officials and members (ii) suggestions for revamping DDCA to promote cricket in Delhi," the order said. The Committee has been directed to submit its report within three days.
Principal Secretary (UD) Chetan B Sanghi made it clear that the probe has nothing to do with the upcoming India-South Africa's test match at Feroz Shah Kotla next month. The main purpose of the committee is how to check corruption at various selection level and how to improve betterment of cricket in the national capital to encourage young talents.
last month, the Office of Commissioner Excise, Entertainment and luxury Tax of the Delhi Government had slapped a notice of Rs24 crore, Rs45 lakh andRs96,000 on the DDCA asking them to pay it quickly, within 15 days on receipt of notice. The DDCA is said to have had received Rs34.96 crore for pre-booking of space/seats in corporate boxes between 2003 and 2005. It is said to have received Rs10.56 crore in 2003, Rs17.38 crore in 2004 and Rs7.02 crore in 2005. Apart from the entertainment tax of 15 per cent on all these amounts, they have to pay interest at the rate of 24 per cent per annum which they have failed to do so.
The notice said, “Further since the DDCA did not declare the above receipts which has led to tax evasion of Rs5.24 crore, a penalty of equivalent amount is also impressed under section 15 (1) of the act.” The interest the DDCA will have to pay comes to be Rs13.97 whereas the entertainment tax will work out to a tune of about Rs5.24 crore.