Indian Premier League

IPL told to revise its schedule again

The Ministry of Home Affairs has yet again asked organisers to draw a fresh schedule for the second season of the Indian Premier League after a high level meeting on Friday.

This is the second time the schedule of the IPL will have to be re-worked.

IPL chairman Lalit Modi had said that he has already made a revised schedule to meet the Home Ministry’s requirements, and that the dates will be announced soon. He also said the tournament will start as scheduled on April 10.

Playing the role of third umpire, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram held the meeting with Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, IB chief, RAW chief, and senior officials from the ministry to decide on providing Central security forces for the matches.

Following the video conference, the Ministry came out with a statement saying that it may not be feasible to hold matches as per the revised schedule submitted by the IPL on March 7. “IPL organisers have been advised to accommodate the concerns of various state governments and draw up a revised schedule and submit the same to the MHA,” the statement said.

Most of the states that will be hosting the matches have told the Home Ministry that they will not be able to provide security and the ministry has said state police too cannot be released from election duty. Andhra Pradesh and Delhi have expressed inability to provide security during elections, while Tamil Nadu has agreed to provide adequate security cover, as games there are scheduled after the election. Bangalore cannot provide security on two match dates but can on four dates.

Mohali and Kolkata have said they can provide security provided that state police personnel are not required election duty. Kolkata wants 30 companies of paramilitary forces on May 4. Punjab has said it can’t provide security on May 1 and wants rescheduling.

Tags: IPL, Lalit Modi