Following the row over entertainment tax exemption to Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, the Maharashtra government has now decided to impose the tax on not only the Twenty20 league but "all international cricket matches" barring the five-day Tests.
Entertainment tax will be levied on IPL and "similar" matches, and all international T20 and ODI matches, the government resolution dated June 14 says.
Shiv Sena leader and MLA Subhash Desai had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking imposition of entertainment tax on IPL. It is scheduled for hearing tomorrow.
In the affidavit filed recently, the state government had informed the court about its decision to bring IPL in tax net, said Desai's lawyer, advocate Balkrishna Joshi.
According to the GR, posted on website of state revenue department, the decision to levy entertainment tax on IPL and ODIs was taken "in view of growing popularity, magnitude of sponsorship money, and commercialisation".
The GR, however, does not clarify whether tax will be imposed retrospectively -- on the IPL seasons held so far.
Desai had alleged in the petition that because of NCP leader and former BCCI chief Sharad Pawar's political clout, the state did not implement its earlier decision to impose entertainment tax on IPL.
