With the BCCI’s deadline of Tuesday staring the Delhi and District Cricket Association in the face, the local officials were making all efforts to reach a face-saving arrangement to host the fourth Test between India and South Africa.
On Monday, the DDCA officials headed by acting president Chetan Chauhan were frantically looking for a lifeline of a provisional exemption from the Excise Department to which the local association owes Rs.24 crore in entertainment tax.
It is learnt that the Delhi Government could well allow the DDCA to pay part of the dues — say around Rs. 5 crore — and give it the go-ahead to host the match, scheduled to start at the Ferozeshah Kotla on December 3.
The Government, however, did not discuss the issue at its Cabinet Meeting on Monday.
As things stand, the DDCA is walking a financial tightrope, with one of its accounts frozen following serious allegations of corruption against its suspended president Sneh Bansal.
“We are racing against time,” said Chauhan. “Most of the clearances can be obtained in a day’s time, but the entertainment tax issue is the stumbling block.”
Meanwhile, the DDCA has appealed to the BCCI to give it an additional day to work things out. However, the BCCI has apparently refused to extend any more courtesies to the DDCA.
Pointing out the “ineptness and unprofessional conduct of the DDCA,” the National Capital Territory Cricket Association secretary Sameer Bahadur said: “An application on an A-4 sheet was made to the Entertainment Tax Department today (Monday), knowing full well that Delhi Government offices are closed for Chhath tomorrow (Tuesday).”
The NCTCA, the front-runner in exposing the irregularities in the DDCA, has demanded strict action against the host body. “If we lose this Test match, the cricket-loving public will be justified in demanding the fixing of responsibility on the (DDCA) office-bearers. We demand severe action from the Delhi Government against all responsible office-bearers and seek accountability from all of them who have been running riot in the DDCA over the last several decades.”
DDCA, on the other hand, remained optimistic. “The match is on,” said Chauhan.
