Shiv Sena: "IPL team owners should give Rs 500 cr for drought relief"

The IPL begins next month and Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena spokesman, believes that the IPL team owners should contribute to the acute water shortage that the people of Mumbai are facing. According to Raut, the teams will generate revenue as much as Rs 500 cr.

The IPL teams that are owned by Bollywood stars and industrialists in Mumbai have been asked to contribute the sum of Rs 500 cr. Raut said that this shouldn’t be seen as a charity. The owners have to support the city in times of need and thus prove their loyalty.

“Marathwada region is facing acute water scarcity. The state needs funds to tide over the crisis to provide for water supply, fodder for the cattle in MarathwadaBSE -4.08 %, north Maharashtra and western Maharashtra. The IPL team owners should contribute revenue earned from the tournament, which would be at least Rs 500 crore,” Raut said.

“Otherwise, permission should not be given to play the matches in the state. If the government does not do so, Shiv Sena will decide what to do next,” he said.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan are expected to approach the owners about this.

Eight matches are scheduled to be held in Mumbai and the water situation will worsen in April-May. Shiv Sena insisted that they had nothing against the tournament.