New Delhi, Nov. 12 : Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) treasurer Ravinder Manchanda said Thursday that he hopes Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will give permission to host the final Test of the four-match series between India and South Africa at the Ferozshah Kotla ground.
The DDCA can lose the chance of hosting the fourth Test between the two sides if it doesn’t pay entertainment tax of Rs 24 crores.
“The test match is not at all in danger. We are hoping the Chief Minister will give us the permission. Of course, there is an issue of entertainment tax. Whether it is leviable on us or not, that is a legal issue which we will try to get an ordinance and CM will try to impress upon him. He has formed a two probe panels of two members and today we will going to meet the panel. And we will explain our position there,” Manchanda told ANI here.
“We want this match to be held, decision should be taken immediately. We are sure Kejriwal is a sports loving CM and will do the needful,” he said.
In case, Delhi doesn’t get clearance, then Pune will host the match.
The matter of the financial irregularities in DDCA was raised by former cricketer and BJP MP Kirti Azad.
The CBI had constituted a inquiry over evasion of entertainment tax by selling under-priced tickets for elite hospitality boxes at the Ferozshah Kotla ground.
Earlier, the Parliament had sent the matter to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which forwarded the issue to the sports ministry, which is now forwarded it to Delhi government for further investigation.
On a complaint filed by former cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi and other cricketers, Delhi government had ordered a probe into the issue.
The two-member committee of Urban Development secretary and sports secretary has been constituted and asked to submit their report on financial irregularities in DDCA within two days. (ANI)