By IANS,
Mohali (Punjab) : The demand by the Punjab police that the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) pay it Rs.18.8 million for security arrangements during the recent matches or do without security for Wednesday’s Twenty20 match has been disputed by the PCA management.
PCA president Inderjit Singh Bindra categorically said Tuesday that there was no question of any payment of charges for the security provided by the Punjab police for IPL matches at the PCA stadium here.
“We are a non-profit organization doing a public function. The terms of security were settled much before this event. We have paid the required amount to the government agencies. We don’t owe any money to anyone,” said Bindra.
Mohali district police chief R.S. Khatra, who had a public spat with Mohali-based Kings XI Punjab franchise owner and industrialist Ness Wadia here last week, had written to the administration to realize Rs.18.8 million from the PCA and the IPL for security provided during recent IPL matches.
Khatra had threatened that if the money was not paid by Wednesday, no security would be provided for the Kings XI Punjab encounter with Rajasthan Royals.
The IPL franchisee too joined the issue with its chief executive Neil Maxwell issuing a statement.
“With regard to certain statements that have appeared on the TV and media, we would like to state that we have placed all the facts and our submissions before the appropriate authorities and leave it to their good judgment to determine what is in the best interest of the sport and law and order. There will be no further comment on this matter,” said Maxwell.
Bindra also referred to the Wadia versus Khatra spat, which was brought on record by Khatra Sunday through an official complaint to higher-ups, saying that Wadia had misbehaved with him. Khatra claimed that Wadia accused the police of stealing things and black-marketing tickets.
Bindra said that no offence or violation of law had taken place in the dialogue between the two men.