Chhattisgarh Civil Society (CCS) has alleged large-scale overcharging and irregular cash collections during Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium (SVNSICS) in Nava Raipur and sought immediate intervention from the State Government. In a representation addressed to Finance Minister OP Choudhary, CCS Convenor Dr Kuldeep Solanki alleged that vendors associated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) exploited spectators during the IPL match held on May 10 by selling essential food and beverage items at exorbitant rates. According to the complaint, spectators were not permitted to carry water bottles inside the stadium because of security restrictions despite temperatures ranging between 42 and 43 degrees Celsius. Taking advantage of the situation, vendors allegedly sold bottled water priced at Rs 20 in the open market for Rs 100 inside the stadium. Similar allegations were made regarding food items, including samosas allegedly sold at Rs 100 against a normal price of around Rs 20 and cold drinks priced at Rs 100.

 

Dr Solanki further alleged that all transactions inside the stadium were being carried out only in cash mode and that no official bills or receipts were being issued to customers. He claimed the practice pointed towards possible large-scale Goods and Services Tax (GST) violations and unaccounted cash collections. The representation estimated that around 60,000 spectators attended the match and alleged that total business transactions during a single match could have touched Rs 10 crore to Rs 11 crore, including alleged excess collections of Rs 8 crore to Rs 9 crore from spectators. It was also claimed that water sales alone may have generated nearly Rs 60 lakh during the event. CCS has demanded a detailed investigation through the GST Commissioner and other concerned authorities, preventive arrangements for upcoming IPL matches, and recovery of the alleged excess collections with penalties from vendors linked to RCB and BCCI. The organisation has further urged that any recovered penalty amount be deposited into the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.