The uncertainty over the venue for the fourth and final cricket Test between India and South Africa continued with DDCA today seeking a one-day extension of the deadline set by BCCI for obtaining all clearances by the state association.
The Delhi and District Cricket Administration moved High Court today with a plea seeking a direction to South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) over issuing a provisional occupancy certificate (POC) to hold the international match at Ferozshah Kotla stadium.
While the match is scheduled to be held from December 3 to December 7, DDCA has sought POC from December 1 to 10. The matter though will be up for hearing again tomorrow after the court was adjourned and hence DDCA failed to meet the November 17 deadline.
DDCA vice president Chetan Chauhan is still trying his level best to host the match, which may go to Pune — a venue that has been kept as a back-up option by the BCCI.
“I know the deadline was till today, but the hearing in the court got extended till tomorrow. These are things which are not in our hands. We have requested BCCI to extend the deadline till tomorrow,” Chauhan told reporters here.
The bone of contention though remains the Rs 24.45 crore in entertainment tax slapped by the government on the state body.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had formed a three-member committee to probe complaints of financial irregularities and wrong-doings in the state association and did come out with a report today.
The panel report recommended that the BCCI should suspend DDCA and a commission of inquiry should probe the alleged irregularities in the body. Chauhan said the association has not got the required support from the government.
“We have not got the support that we were expecting from the government regarding the tax matter. There are so many industries and shops that have not payed their tax, but are they shutting them down. Adequate time is given, right. DDCA is a non-profit maing body,” said a disappointed Chauhan.
“The probe committee formed by the government only delayed matters for us as they entangled us in all other issues which were not related to the hosting of the match. So I believe that Delhi government is responsible to a great extent if the match does not happen,” the former cricketer said.