Sasthra Sahithya Parishad protests against tax cuts for IPL

By NDChronicle.Com Correspondent,

Kozhikode: Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad, people’s science and literature movement of Kerala has lashed out against tax cuts for IPL games in Kochi. Parishad in a press release blamed the state government and Kochi Corporation for reducing taxes in interest of IPL team owners.

Tax cuts for luxurious events like IPL will affect the democracy, Parishad said. The money collected through taxes is meant for basically the development of the society and people. IPL franchisees pick up players for the tournament throwing crores of rupees.

The aim of team owners is only to double their capital with the cricket tournament. That is why providing them with tax cuts is against the basic principles of democracy, the Parishad press release said. The teams can conduct matches and tournaments, but it should be done paying required taxes.

According to law, 48 percent of money collected through ticket sales of entertainment events has to go to the state government as tax. But the government, on request of IPL team owners, trimmed it down to 24 percent.

Similarly, only five percent of tickets have to be considered as complimentary tickets, which need no taxes. But the government and Kochi Corporation granted permission to consider 20 percent as complimentary tickets for IPL matches, Parishad blamed.