I am pained at the frivolous comments made on IPL by Lodha panel: Anurag Thakur

BCCI president Anurag Thakur has called the Lodha committee’s remarks on Indian Premier League (IPL) as frivolous and made a veiled suggestion that IPL may have to be stopped. The panel headed by the Cheif Justice of India had come down very hard on the Indian Cricket Board.

“I am pained at the frivolous comments that have been made about the IPL including calling it an “extravaganza”. For your reference, I would like to once again mention the positive outcomes of IPL which you could communicate further to all the stakeholders,” he said in his mail.

Listing out the popularity and revenue generating power of the IPL, he said, “I have listed a few positive impacts of IPL. However, in light of recent comments made against IPL, all members need to collectively decide, whether to stop this extravaganza. I leave it to collective wisdom of the members,” he wrote.

He also pointed out that the IPL has paid a huge amount in the form of tax. “Moreover, IPL has paid Rs 2,244 crore directly in various taxes over the nine years. Indirect tax payments are not added into these figures as they have been paid by different vendors associated with the event. However, one can’t deny that contribution to tax kitty is also because of IPL, be it broadcasters, advertisers, service provider etc.”

Interestingly enough, the letter is silent on the Supreme Court developments. Thakur himself could not be reached but a BCCI official explained the point.

“The aim is to bring about the contribution of the IPL to cricket, exchequer and Justice Lodha’s views on the league,” he said. When asked why the letter is silent on the developments in the Supreme Court yesterday, he said, “It is because we don’t think anything will happen today.”