Facing flak from the Opposition for not levying tax on the Indian Premiere League (IPL), the Maharashtra government has decided to impose entertainment tax on IPL matches from the next season.
“The government has decided to levy entertainment tax on IPL from the next season,” Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said. The decision was taken last month by the state cabinet. However, the minutes of the meeting were confirmed at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Bhujbal said.
The opposition attacked the government during the Assembly session last month for failing to impose tax on IPL matches during Season 3. The government also faced an embarrassing situation after a cabinet meeting on January 20 decided to impose the tax on IPL, but the decision was not implemented as it did not figure in the minutes of the meeting. Opposition parties had alleged that NCP chief Sharad Pawar was behind the tax waiver.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had informed the Assembly that none of the neighbouring states charged tax from IPL. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had rapped the state government for losing Rs 5 crore by exempting the IPL from paying entertainment tax.
“The IPL was conceptualised as an entertainment spectacle and was also pitched as the ultimate destination of TV entertainment,” the CAG report said.