HC asks Delhi government not to withhold NOC for Test match

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today asked the city government not to withhold the 'no objection certificate (NOC)' for the upcoming India-South Africa Test match here, saying DDCA has agreed to deposit Rs one crore in connection with the administration's extertainment tax demand.

A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva also directed the AAP government not to take any coercive measures against Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) in connection with Rs 24-crore entertainment tax demand raised on the cricketing body by the administration's Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax Department.

The court asked DDCA to deposit Rs one crore in two instalments of Rs 50 lakh each with the department whose clearance is also required to host the India-South Africa Test match at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium from December 3 to December 7.

The first instalment is to be paid within two weeks from today and the remaining in two weeks thereafter, the bench said.

"No coercive steps will be taken till further orders," it said and listed the matter for further hearing on November 27.

The order came on DDCA's plea challenging a recent Delhi government decision to slap a demand of Rs 24.45 crore as entertainment tax dues on the association.

It also claimed that the government was trying to reassess its entertainment tax dues for the period from 2003 till 2005.