The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) owes a whopping Rs 1.38 crore to the Mohali district police for providing security at the PCA stadium during international matches last year.

Mohali police chief J S Aulakh, in a missive to Punjab police chief N P S Aulakh, had submitted the details of expenditure incurred on the deployment of force at the PCA stadium for two Tests and One-Day International cricket match played at the PCA since November 8, 2007.

The security bill is pegged at Rs 66.82 lakh for the recent Test match between India and England played from December 19 to 23 last year, whereas the charges for the India-Australia Test from October 17 to 21, and India versus Pakistan ODI on November 8, 2007 were assessed at Rs 49.61 lakh and Rs 21.43 lakh respectively.

Officials said in Chandigarh on Wednesday that the cost had been calculated at the rate of basic pay with other incentives payable to staff for the deployment period.

Punjab police deploys around 700 to 800 policemen whenever an international match is played at the PCA stadium and submit the bill afterwards.

PCA Honorary Treasurer G S Walia said no such charges are applicable as the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has made it clear in the past security is the duty of the state.

However, according to Punjab Police rules, for the deployment of force the state government is supposed to realise the payment in advance against security provided to corporate bodies or commercial establishments.

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