The Bombay High Court’s directive to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to shift 13 matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) out of Maharashtra after April 30 will result in a revenue loss of Rs 19.50 crore to the State treasury.
In his affidavit submitted before the division bench of Justice VM Kanade and Justice MS Karnik, the acting Advocate General (AG) stated that the State had no objection in shifting the IPL matches out of the State despite losing Rs 1.5 crore in entertainment duty per match. The State stands to lose a sum of Rs 19.5 crore for the 13 matches.
However, on Wednesday, the acting State Advocate General Rohit Deo argued against moving the IPL matches out of Maharashtra. Arguing that non-potable water was being supplied for maintaining cricket pitches during the IPL, he said, “Potable water is not used. If there is misuse of drinking water, what is the State expected to do?” He also said that by the same logic, the State should also ban other recreational activities and celebrations. “IPL is not a sinful event that needs to be shunted out. We are not banning theatres and movies. So why ban IPL?” he asked.
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In its order, the court rapped the Maharashtra government. The court recorded, “On the one hand, the State has filed an affidavit that it has no objection if the matches are shifted outside of Maharashtra. On the other hand, it acts as a mute spectator and does not even question the cricket associations.”
The High Court directive, which is likely to be challenged by some of the IPL franchises, came despite BCCI’s submission in court that it is ready to provide equal amount of non-potable water used during entire IPL tournament to drought-affected areas as per the court’s directions.
Senior counsel Rafiq Dada, appearing for BCCI, pointed out that the petitioner’s figure of 64 lakh litres of water, used for maintaining cricket pitches for IPL, was incorrect. “According to us, it is 44 lakh litres, but we are willing to give 64 lakh litres of non-potable water,” he told the court.
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Answering a question posed by the court, Mr Dada said the Mumbai (Mumbai Indians) and Pune (Rising Pune Supergiants) IPL franchises were willing to donate Rs 5 crore to the Chief Minister’s Drought Relief Fund.
He also informed the court that Punjab (Kings XI Punjab) franchise will not be able to shift its matches out of Nagpur as it claimed in its earlier declaration. One of the stake holders in the franchise feels it would be a logistical disaster to shift the match out of Nagpur, the senior counsel said. Punjab is scheduled to play three matches at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on May 7, 9, and 15.
Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, representing the Pune franchise, said, “We have invested a lot of money, so shifting matches out of the city will disturb our economic balance and brand value.” He also said cricket is a religion in India and people are willing to forsake a few things to watch matches.