HPCA CLARIFIES: Police did not demand Rs. 70 lakh for security

Dharamsala, January 19, 2013: “It is not a correct news that HP Police have demanded RS 70 Lakh for providing security and law and order help to the HPCA for the coming India –England ODI on January 27 at Dharamsala,” said Sanjay Sharma PRO of the HPCA here on Saturday.

Sanjay said, “Police have not demanded any money, and we too hope that these services shall be given as per the need.” Sanjay said that actually IG Himachal, Rakesh Kumar and SSP Kangra Daljit Thakur today visited the stadium and examined the situation at the spot.

He said, “Police have told the organisers about the parking places earmarked for the event and the control of traffic as per the plan of the police.”

When asked how this figure of Rs. 70lakh came into the picture, he said,” I don’t want to say anything.”

He said that the HPCA would also make arrangements for the food of security persons.

Earlier, it was in the news that HP police have demanded Rs 70 lakh from the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) for providing security during the India-England ODI to be played in Dharamsala to be played on January 27.The 'security bill' handed over by the police ten days before the match has shocked the HPCA officials, who have termed it as unprecedented and are now planning to hire private security for the match.

Sanjay Sharma today said, “For inner circle 120 private security guards shall be hired.”

He further said that both the Indian and England teams would reach Dharamsala on January 24 after playing at Mohali.

Sharma told that the HPCA would pay 10% of entertainment tax to state on the sale of tickets as per law.

He said,” The Himachal Pradesh CM Vir Bhadra Singh has been invited as the chief guest for last and final ODI of the present series at Dharamsala. His reply is awaited.”

He told that being the last match the prize distribution ceremony would also be done at Dharamsala. “And for this top rank BCCI officials shall be coming to Dharamsala”, he revealed.