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HPCA accuses Himachal minister for having double standards

Government has said that it would extend all possible help to organise the India-West Indies ODI.

© Getty Images
India and West Indies are scheduled to play ODI at Dharamsala on October 17 © Getty Images

Dharamsala: Sep 18, 2014

State cricketing body Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has accused the Himachal Minister for Urban development for his alleged “double standards” on the working of the sporting body, a charge denied by the leader.

On one hand the minister Sudhir Sharma is giving statements in the press to extend all possible help to HPCA for organising the India-West Indies One-Day International (ODI) on October 17 and one the other hand, creating hindrances, HPCA’s spokesperson Sanjay Sharma claimed here today.

“The previous HP government under the CM-ship of P K Dhumal laid a foundation stone for parking of hundreds of vehicles near the cricket stadium in August 2012 and Sudhir (minister) diverted a low-cost housing project from another place and got its foundation laid from the present CM in January 2014, so that HPCA could not use the space for parking,” Sanjay alleged.

Urban Development Minister, meanwhile, said in a statement, “The government is fully committed to promotion of sports. It’s unfortunate that Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) president Anurag Thakur is unnecessarily trying to politicise the issue.”

He said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has already made it clear that the state government would extend all help for organising the match on October 17. He said: “The HPCA president is continuing to issue baseless political statements on the matter.”

Sanjay further alleged that the minister has ordered quick repair of all roads in and around Dharamsala, but deliberately omitted the roads that lead to the cricket stadium.

He said that when on October 26 last, Congress government took away the control of Dharamsala cricket stadium in a single night, Sudhir Sharma addressed a press conference to take the credit.

On the statements regarding HPCA by the Congress leaders, Sanjay said, “When the government has taken the issues to the court, the Congress should wait for the decision of the law and stop defaming the HPCA.”

Sanjay, however welcomed the minister’s (Sudhir’s) statement on the government’s decision to help all possible help in organising the ODI match, and said, “It is the responsibility of any government to extend help to the organisers of any public show in concern to law and order.”

On Monday the Himachal Pradesh government had said that it would extend all possible help to organise the India-West Indies ODI, a day after HPCA president Anurag Thakur expressed uncertainty over holding it.

The stadium which is situated in the lap of Dhouladhar Ranges, has a 21,600-seat capacity, besides a world-class indoor stadium comprising all modern facilities.

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