Civic body bouncer to DDCA: Pay up or no test match at Kotla

The property tax, or the non-payment of it, is back to haunt the Feroze Shah Kotla stadium, putting in limbo the fourth test match between India and Australia.

The fourth cricket test is scheduled to be played at the stadium between March 22 and March 26.

But the South Municipal Corporation has objected to allowing Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) to hold matches there, till it pays up its property tax dues.

Sources said similar concerns were raised earlier as well, but either due to "political" pressure or through court proceeding, the South corporation had to back off.

The civic agency also wants to notify the BCCI that the building plan of the stadium has expired, and the match should be shifted to another venue in the interest of public security and safety.

Corporation has decided to complete its legal preparations, DDCA keeps approaching court to get permission for matches. After court intervention Rs 75 lakh were paid to the civic agency last year, against its demand of Rs 8 crore.

Leader of Opposition (South corporation) Farhad Suri claimed that due to political pressure DDCA has been getting provisional occupancy certificate for the stadium since 2005.

"We are not sparing even government organisations for not paying property tax or service charge. Why make this concession for a profit making organsiation? The officials have been pressing for not issuing provisional certificates as the building is yet to get occupancy certificate, without which it can be dangerous," Suri said.

The corporation is in no mood to let the political pressure take its revenue away.

"The unified corporation has rejected DDCA's request for occupancy certificate on May 14, 2010. The association approached High Court, which, in its order in October 2011, directed DDCA to obtain occupancy certificate within six months. Before the last match on January 6 this year, the mayor convened a meeting and issue of national prestige was raised citing involvement of Pakistan and Indian governments. DDCA agreed to pay the outstanding amount, but never reverted," a source said.

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