High Court gives temporary relief to DDCA
With the Delhi high court clearing the decks for the fourth and final Test between India and South Africa to be staged at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi & District Cricket Association vice-president Chetan Chauhan declared on Thursday his association will "organise a good game", come December 3.
On Wednesday the court asked the city government not to take coercive steps against the DDCA till further orders with regard to the entertainment tax dues payable by it.
Of the Rs 24.45 crore entertainment tax slapped by the government on the state body, the DDCA has been directed to deposit Rs one crore in two installments.
The court also told the government not to withhold the no objection certificate to the DDCA.
"We are thankful to the judiciary for taking a positive step for cricket lovers of the capital. We will now put all our energies towards hosting a successful game," a jubilant Chauhan said after the conclusion of the court hearing.
"We have already started the work on the match. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank everybody who worked hard to make this happen and we will organise a good game," the former India cricketer said.
The court directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to issue a provisional occupancy certificate to the DDCA for hosting the international game. The state association had already run out of time to get clearances before the November 17 deadline set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The BCCI, though, waited for the court orders before finalising the host venue for the final Test of the series.
Chauhan insisted that the DDCA will be transparent in its dealings.
"The balance sheet for 2013-14 has been sent to the BCCI, which will be audited by their CA. Everything will be transparent as always," he said.
The DDCA had moved high court on Tuesday with a plea seeking a direction to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation over issuing a provisional occupancy certificate. The court did direct the MCD to provide a POC to the state association but also appointed Justice Mukul Mudgal to oversee the affairs of the international match.
Chauhan welcomed Mudgal into the DDCA's organizational team.
"We will certainly use his wisdom and we as a team are looking forward to work under his supervision and guidance. The first organisation committee meeting will probably happen tomorrow," he said.
