Delhi CM sets up two-member panel to probe alleged irregularities in the DDCA

Question marks persist over Ferozshah Kotla’s status as the venue for the fourth Test

Delhi Chief Minister, Mr Aravind Kejriwal, has appointed a two-member committee to investigate alleged financial irregularities of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), IBNLive reports. Kejriwal has asked the Sports Secretary and Urban Development Secretary to submit a report within 24 hours.

The Delhi government had asked the DDCA to pay a sum of 24 crores as entertainment tax for the period from 2008 to 2012, something the DDCA felt was unfair with board Vice President Chetan Chauhan claiming that the board had been granted an exemption for the same in the said period.

The confusion surrounding the issue prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to come out with a statement that Delhi could be stripped as the venue for the fourth and final Test between India and South Africa which is set to be held at the Ferozshah Kotla stadium from December 2, if they didn’t clear the issue with the state government by November 17.

“By November 17, DDCA has to come back to the board with all permissions from the state government; if they don't, then the match would be shifted to Pune," BCCI secretary, Anurag Thakur, told media at a press conference following the BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on Monday.

Following the statement, DDCA had sought Kejriwal’s help to solve the matter and reiterated that the DDCA was not liable to pay the amount demanded by the state government.

“We don't agree with the amount as this is an exorbitant amount levied on us. We had been exempted from entertainment tax during that period and now we see that those exemption years have also been included," Chauhan had told PTI on Wednesday, as reported by Times of India.

TOI further reported that the DDCA had prepared its balance sheet for the last three years, signed by its board of directors, and forwarded the same to the BCCI. If, in order, the DDCA are likely to get a grant to the tune of 30 crores, something which will help the board pay the sum demanded by the DDCA.

However, with the deadline set by the BCCI less than a week away, Kejriwal has set up the two-member panel to investigate into the financial dealings within the DDCA and is also likely to meet up with Delhi Ranji team captain Gautam Gambhir who had a few days earlier criticised the DDCA officials.

“We are topping the table, but the bigger goal is to win the Ranji Trophy. That will be a massive, massive slap in the face for a lot of people who haven’t done anything for cricket and yet have been on top posts in the DDCA,” Gambhir had said on Tuesday.