Dharamshala: To end the ongoing political tug of war, aroused after the Govt decision of cancelling the lease of lands given to the HPCA and subsequently seizing all its properties, two cabinet ministers of state GS Bali and Sudhir Sharma, both hail from Kangra district, claimed that the state government had the support of the BCCI and cricket activities in Himachal won’t hampered.
In a joint press conference at Dharamshala, Congress leaders stated that cricket activities would continue at the Dharamsala International Cricket Stadium and the state Govt was in touch with the BCCI president and he had assured that cricket would continue at Dharamsala despite the takeover.
While justifying the Govt decision, GS Bali clarified that the stadium and other properties of the HPCA in Himachal were taken over by the state government after the Cabinet decision, where the Revenue Department had raised the matter that association had violated the lease rules on which it was given the land. Land was given to the HPCA for the promotion of sports for the common youth of Himachal, but it put the land to a commercial use, which was a serious violation of lease rules, he added. Bali said that the sports grounds of the HPCA would now be open for the common youth of the state.
Sudhir Sharma, a local legislature, said the state government was not against cricket and an individual. However, HPCA has forced Govt to take harsh action as it had violated law, which was not tolerable. He said that cricket activities will continue and state Govt will ensure better facilities for cricketers and promoting sports.
