IPL can have forces in April, problem in May, says govt

The Government today said paramilitary forces could be spared in the month of April to provide security in the Indian Premier League but would be a problem in May.

"In April, we have paramilitary forces to be spared but it would be problematic in the month of May. If precautions are taken and advices heeded, then the threat to the security of IPL could be minimised," Union Minister of state for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters when asked whether the central forces would be provided for IPL matches.

Jaiswal said although security threats always exist but if the IPL functionaries give a suitable schedule, things could be worked out.

The Minister said the state governments "also want the tournament to happen" and the Home Ministry has given suggestions to all the stakeholders of the tournament, like the IPL authorities and the state governments, so that security, elections and the tournament are conducted smoothly.

"The kind of environment that exists around the country ... Security should also be fool proof and we have asked the IPL authorities and the state governments to think in this direction and we hope that IPL will consider all these points with full responsibility," Jaiswal said on the sidelines of the CISF's 40th Raising Day celebrations.

The 45-day extravaganza begins on April 10 and the 60 matches to be played among eight teams will end on May 24.

The IPL coincides with the general elections -- first phase of which starts on April 16 and counting is on May 16 -- and the organisers of the cash-rich league have been forced to revamp the schedule to avoid matches on polling days in the host cities.

The IPL organisers have conveyed to the Home Ministry that they do not require any central forces for the security.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi today said the cover around the participating cricketers at the Twenty20 event would be centrally-managed and the budget for it is 10 times more than last year.