No tax waiver for IPL, demands BJP

BJP has called upon the Maharashtra government not to waive entertainment tax to IPL, which they did last year and caused loss of revenue of Rs 125 crore to the state exchequer.

Addressing a press conference here, state BJP's spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said,  "We not only demand no concession should be given to IPL in the entertainment tax but also, like Punjab and West Bengal,  the state government should recover the cost of providing police security to players and venue during the tournament. IPL is no charity activity and it earned profit of Rs 1,000 crore last year and this year it is also expected to earn handsome profit".

The state's tax revenues have taken hit due to the economic slowdown because of which it is finding it difficult to moblise resources for loan waiver to farmers and implementing the 6th pay commission recommendations for its employees, Bhandari said. During such time it will be completely unjust on the part of state government to give such largesse, he pointed out.

There is still one month to go for IPL tournament to begin,  we will wait till then if state government waives off entertainment tax then all options like launching agitation knocking the doors of court are open to us,  Bhandari said while replying to questions.

Last year, snacks and beverages were sold at highly exorbitant rates at the IPL venues in the state,  bottle water which costs Rs 10 was sold at Rs 120,  Wada-Pav was sold at Rs 125 and so on.  Either the state government should ensure snacks and beverages are available at reasonable rates or ensure common cricket fan is allowed to carry food and beverages at the venue,  he demanded.

And to avoid unnecessary controversy over the cheer leaders , state should prohibit use of cheer girls at the IPL venue,  when 50 to 60 thousand people are gathering at the venue to cheer every action of the player, there is no need for bringing some seven eight skimpily dressed girls to cheer the players, Bhandari said.