After Commonwealth Games, tax waiver for Hockey World Cup

After the Commonwealth Games, the Delhi government has decided to waive off taxes for the Hockey World Cup to be held from February 28-March 13 at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The government has decided to waive off all revenue collected as entertainment and luxury tax from the organisers of the tournament. This will cost the government exchequer Rs six crore.

Although the officials concerned were not keen on giving the waiver, the decision was left to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Hockey India representatives had met Delhi Chief Secretary, Rakesh Mehta, earlier this month demanding waiver of entertainment tax on tickets and luxury tax on hotel rooms to be booked for delegates.

Earlier this month, the Delhi cabinet had waived off luxury tax to the tune of Rs 30 crore on hotel rooms booked by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee for athletes, delegates, sport physicians and international mediapersons.

HI to appoint retired high court judge

Hockey India (HI) on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it would appoint a retired High Court or Supreme Court judge as the Returning Officer for its elections.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice AP Shah asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and HI to file their response on how they were planning to conduct the election and suggest the name of the retired judge who could be appointed as their Returning Officer.

Meanwhile, the Centre informed the court that differences with HI have been sorted out after the sports body agreed to follow its suggestion on conduct of the election. The court was hearing a PIL questioning how the sports body is functioning and alleged irregularities in the conduct of the election.

The election, however, has been put on hold after the Rajasthan High Court last week restrained HI from conducting the exercise. The Centre had earlier approached the High Court challenging HI’s appointment of GS Mander.