Lucknow, March 2 — The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has served a property tax notice amounting to Rs 28.42 crore to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium, commonly known as Ekana Stadium, according to an official statement released on Sunday.
The notice, issued by Zone 4 of the LMC on Saturday, comes at a critical juncture, as the stadium is gearing up to host the Women's Premier League matches later this month, followed by Indian Premier League (IPL) fixtures starting in April. This development has sparked concerns about potential disruptions to the scheduled matches.
"Ekana Stadium hosts IPL matches, professional sports events, and cultural programs with ticket sales. Therefore, the property tax assessment is justified," Srivastava stated, adding that currently, only property tax has been assessed, with no immediate plans to levy water or sewerage charges.
"We will soon meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to seek justice," said Sinha, expressing his intention to appeal for relief. He also noted that the notice lacks clarity on the deadline for the payment of dues and expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved swiftly, without disrupting upcoming IPL fixtures.
Both sides are expected to hold discussions to reach an amicable resolution, ensuring that scheduled sporting events, crucial for local fans and the city’s sporting reputation, continue without hindrance.
The notice, issued by Zone 4 of the LMC on Saturday, comes at a critical juncture, as the stadium is gearing up to host the Women's Premier League matches later this month, followed by Indian Premier League (IPL) fixtures starting in April. This development has sparked concerns about potential disruptions to the scheduled matches.
Breakdown of the Property Tax Notice
Additional Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Srivastava explained that the total amount of Rs 28.42 crore includes:- Rs 5.45 crore due from December 1, 2020
- An outstanding balance of Rs 22.97 crore from previous periods
"Ekana Stadium hosts IPL matches, professional sports events, and cultural programs with ticket sales. Therefore, the property tax assessment is justified," Srivastava stated, adding that currently, only property tax has been assessed, with no immediate plans to levy water or sewerage charges.
Stadium Management Terms Notice as "Unjust"
Responding to the municipal corporation’s notice, Ekana Stadium Director Uday Sinha has criticized the assessment as "against the rules." He highlighted the municipal guidelines, claiming they provide blanket property tax exemptions to all stadiums, regardless of their operational nature."We will soon meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to seek justice," said Sinha, expressing his intention to appeal for relief. He also noted that the notice lacks clarity on the deadline for the payment of dues and expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved swiftly, without disrupting upcoming IPL fixtures.
Implications for IPL Matches
Ekana Stadium is the official home ground of IPL team Lucknow Super Giants and is slated to host seven IPL matches this season. The ongoing tax dispute has raised questions about whether logistical or administrative complications might affect the smooth conduct of these high-profile matches.Both sides are expected to hold discussions to reach an amicable resolution, ensuring that scheduled sporting events, crucial for local fans and the city’s sporting reputation, continue without hindrance.
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