Govt exempts custom duty for cricket WC

With India hosting the lion's share of cricket World Cup matches, Sports Minister Ajay Maken today said his department has exempted custom duty on the import of equipments and consumables necessary for the smooth conduct of the tournament.

While replying to a question during a question-hour session in the Lok Sabha Maken said, "Government has given custom duty exemption for temporary imports of sports equipments and import of sport consumables required for the World Cup."

"Venue related assistance such as security and other logistic support is being extended by the state governments concerned," the minister added.

Maken also apprised the parliament about the number of matches being held in India and informed the house that the India-England tie on February 27, which was originally scheduled to be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, had to be shifted to Bangalore because of the veue's unpreparedness.

"BCCI has informed that 14 countries are participating in ICC CWC 2011. There are 29 matches in India at eight venues. 12 games are in Sri Lanka and eight games in Bangladesh," he said.