New Delhi: Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) is breathoing some sense of relief after the BCCI decided to hand them a deadline (November 17) to set its house in order in order to host the fourth Test between India and South Africa.
According to a report in the Times of India, the DDCA in order to meet the deadline has finally got its balance sheet signed by the board's directors and sent it to BCCI. The DDCA was looming in danger of missing out on hosting the 4th Test and now they could be hopeful for some light.
Reports suggest, the development could mean that DDCA is likely to get a grant of around Rs 30 crore from the board. This in turn should allow it to meet the demand of Rs 24 crore by the Delhi government as entertainment tax.
Senior officials of the association were likely to meet Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal either late on Tuesday or on Wednesday morning to sort the issue out.
According to sources, DDCA intended to ask the government if it could waive a substantial amount of the tax. “The basic tax charged actually was around Rs 4 to 6 crores. But incumbent president Sneh Bansal, who was the general secretary earlier, didn't pay on time. This amount is a result of the interest and fine added to the base amount,“ said a senior DDCA official.
DDCA VP Chetan Chauhan and Ravinder Manchanda were supposed to meet Kejriwal on Tuesday morning, but the CM caught up with his own work. However, there is hope in the DDCA.“We have heard good things from the CM's office till now. We are very positive and expecting a Diwali gift from Kejriwal,“ said another official.
According to report in the Indian Express, the DDCA is also planning to invite Arvind Kejriwal as the chief guest for the Delhi Test amidst all uncertainties.
