The Kochi Corporation is most likely to withdraw its decision to give tax rebate to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for the ODI between India and West Indies, as the KCA is adamant about not reducing ticket rates.
The Corporation’s Finance Committee had made it clear on Friday that the proposed 25 per cent tax exemption will only be permitted if the KCA legally agrees to reduce ticket rates for the match.
As the news came in, the KCA made it clear that the printing of tickets has already begun and lowering the rates is next to impossible at this stage.
Speaking to ‘Express’ on Saturday, Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany was in no mood to bend a bit for the premier cricketing association of the state.
“Out of Rs 200 charged from the buyer per ticket, `96 will be entertainment tax. We were willing to reduce one-fourth of it, that is `24 per ticket. But that was not meant to make profit for the KCA, it was meant to lessen the burden of the sports enthusiast out there buying the tickets. If the KCA is not willing to reduce ticket rates, we would not be able to give them a tax cut,” he said.
He said the Corporation is not trying to implement a new system.
“Look at what happens with National Award-winning films. Rebates are given on entertainment tax for films that have won National Awards. Reflecting this tax cut, the ticket prices of these films are reduced in local theatres. This is the system we practice, so why should the KCA expect an exemption from this,” he asked.
However, officials of the Kerala Cricket Association have said that it is practically impossible for the association to reduce ticket rates for the much-awaited one-dayer and that they are willing to go ahead without a tax cut from the Corporation.
The Kerala Cricket Association will take a final call on the matter at its general body meeting scheduled for Sunday while the Corporation Council is expected to give its final word after the council meeting on Monday.