Delhi govt raps DDCA for presenting wrong picture

While uncertainty prevails over whether Delhi will be able to host the fourth and final Test against South Africa at the Ferozeshah Kotla, the Delhi government could take up corruption issues in the state body as well as the possibility of staging the match directly with the cricket Board.

The three-member committee appointed by the Delhi government met DDCA’s 13 directors on Friday. It came down heavily on the association officials for giving a wrong picture that clearing the entertainment tax dues alone will be enough to get permission to host the match. The panel members told the officials that the issue was far more serious.

The committee will give its report on Saturday, which will have a bearing on whether DDCA will be able to host the Test starting on December 4.

“The committee rapped them

GOVT CAME DOWN HEAVILY ON OFFICIALS FOR GIVING A PICTURE THAT CLEARING TAX DUES ALONE WILL BE ENOUGH TO GET PERMISSION

for assuming that the main issue was only concerning the entertainment tax dues and paying that will allow the match to happen,” a source close to the meeting said. “The committee pointed out that the association is facing cases by the CBI and the serious fraud investigation office. There are four Delhi Police complaints, a complaint with the registrar of companies, lack of MCD clearances, among other things.

“It also pointed out the complaints over age fraud and selection issues in various teams,” added the source. “The DDCA was asked what they’ve been doing to promote cricket, their primary objective, and why instead of that, there are complaints and allegations over selection and age fraud.”

The government says it is keen to see Delhi remain an international venue but has made it clear that the issues of clearances and tax dues will be processed as per the provisions of law.

It has been learnt that the government officials are likely to talk to the BCCI and apprise them of the situation in Delhi cricket. The onus will be on BCCI to take what action they deemed fit over the final Test.

“The Aam Aadmi Party, which came to power on a strong anticorruption mandate, feels the happenings in DDCA are hurting the image of the state,” said the source. “It is a matter of concern.”

DDCA treasurer Ravinder Manchanda told HT, “We have put our case to them and are confident of the match going on.”

If it doesn’t, Pune has already been placed on standby.