Amid the nationwide outcry over the infamous spot-fixing in the Indian Premier league (IPl)-6, the Jharkhand Cricket Association seems to have become a defaulter for non-payment of dues for using Government logistics during the ODI and IPl matches in Ranchi.
Former Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MlA Hemant Soren has sought details on the Government machinery used in the one ODI and the two IPl matches recently held in Ranchi. Soren has asked whether the Jharkhand Cricket Association paid for the deployment of security forces on these occasions.
In a recent communiqué to the Raj Bhawan, Soren has cast aspersions about the proper use of Government machinery and sought details of the paraphernalia followed in providing security personnel and other logistics to hold the three matches recently.
Referring to other States that charged against deployment of security personnel to hold such matches time and again, Soren wondered why no payments had been done for the deployment of forces.
He questioned what fruits those matches had yielded and for whose benefit were they usedIJ He contended that if the organisers charged exorbitant entry fees from the people to watch the matches in the garb of expenses incurred over mobilising resources, how were they allowed to conveniently skip paying to use Government machineryIJ
He expressed anguish over the misuse of Government machinery meant for public services and not to protect the interests of a section of affluent people. He claimed that a group of senior officials involved in organising cricket matches took arbitrary decisions for deployment of security personnel during the one ODI and two IPl matches in Ranchi recently by misusing their respective offices.
The JMM MlA, who had been the State Finance Minister too, claimed that the misuse of machinery has cost the State exchequer dear. He contended that if Public Sector Undertakings had to pay the cost for deployment of security personnel in their command areas, the JCA was a private body too — that was registered under the Society Act —and supposed to foot the bill for using Government facilities.
He also reacted to the provision set by the Jharkhand Cricket Association for providing the stadium on rent to private parties for marriages and other functions. He said that the association was provided land by the State Government for sport purposes and not for earning money by striking such business deals.
Meanwhile, the objection raised by Soren assumed greater significance in the light of the fact that the JCA President, Amitabh Choudhary was Additional Director General of Police in the State (now retired after taking VRS) and he was alleged to have impressed upon his junior officials at the Police Headquarters to extend ‘free services’ to hold matches. Police officials are said to have been doled out VIP passes to watch matches along with their family members in lieu of providing security forces at the cost of the Government kitty. Interestingly, one of the coaches of Team India skipper MS Dhoni failed to get an entry ticket even after offering the prescribed price.
Contrary to the Soren’s observation, Inspector General of Police (Budget) RK Mallik told The Pioneer that there was a policy decision that nothing would be charged against the deployment of security forces during the ODI match between India and England. He said that, of late, the JCA had to, however, pay the dues raised by the City Police against deployment of security personnel during the two IPl matches. He claimed that the JCA paid `12 lakh for hiring the services during the two IPl matches.
likewise, the State Commercial Taxes Department has served notice to the JCA for payment of entertainment tax on sale of tickets. Well-placed sources in the department said the association has to pay more than Rs 1 crore as dues. They contended that since the IPl teams were owned by private individuals such as filmstar Sharukh Khan and other celebrities and aimed to entertain cricket lovers by holding matches at stadiums in Ranchi and elsewhere, entertainment tax ought to be imposed.
Sources informed that though the JCA had asked for exemption of the tax and the State Cabinet was supposed to take decision about it in its recent meeting, the department had resolved to continue with its move to realise the dues after the JCA’s request was not taken up in the last meeting of the Cabinet.