V Abdurahiman | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: Sports minister V Abdurahiman’s remark over the entertainment tax on ticket rates of the India-Sri Lanka ODI match on January 15 in Karyavattom has sparked controversy. The minister remarked that the tax would not be reduced and people who are starving need not watch the match.
Abdurahiman added that despite the reduction of taxes last time, the ticket rates did not come down. He said the tax was not being reduced this time so that the organisers would not take excessive profits.
The entertainment tax for the India-South Africa T20 match that was held here in September was 5 per cent. This time around, it has been increased to 12 per cent. With this, a tax of Rs 120 has to be paid on a Rs 1,000 ticket and Rs 260 on a Rs 2,000 ticket. In addition to this, an 18 per cent GST has to be paid.
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) announced the ticket rates excluding the taxes. The KCA reduced the ticket rates from Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,750 for the last match to Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000. The corporation had demanded a 24 per cent entertainment tax. This was reduced to 12 per cent after the KCA filed a petition.