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Sharad Pawar questions absence of tax exemption to BCCI

NCP leader and former BCCI chief Sharad Pawar today raised in Rajya Sabha the issue of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not getting exemption of tax.

Pawar
Sharad Pawar said around 5 years back when there was funds crunch, BCCI gave Rs. 50 crore to sports ministry © Getty Images

New Delhi: NCP leader and former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Sharad Pawar today raised in Rajya Sabha the issue of  BCCI not getting exemption of tax for giving Rs. 50 crore for promotion of other sports in the country. He said the BCCI has received a communication from the Finance Ministry that it would not be granted tax exemption as it has diverted its funds for other sports. Pawar said around five years back when there was funds crunch, the BCCI gave Rs. 50 crore to sports ministry (rpt) ministry for promotion of sports. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “I will certainly have the matter looked into.” Also read: Sharad Pawar to resign as MCA President

In 2008 as well, the board had generously given Rs. 25 crores for the development of other games to the Sports Ministry’s National Sports Department Fund (NSDF), in the wake of the stellar show by Indian athletes at the Beijing Olympics. Also read: BCCI to discuss implementations of Lodha Committee

The then Sports Minister MS Gill had requested the BCCI to double the funds, which BCCI agreed to without giving a second thought. BCCI said it would always support if any other games did not have enough funds for the welfare of the athletes. Also read: Dilip Vengsarkar: Lodha Committee recommendations must be reviewed

BCCI, India’s national cricket governing body, is considered the most powerful sports organisation in the world, in terms of reputation as well as wealth.

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