Due to the shifting of matches, Maharashtra had to bear a loss: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioned the media people for distorting the water crisis issue in the state of Maharashtra. He made highly sensible questions over staging of IPL matches in the drought-affected areas, pointing out that cricket grounds are needed to be watered every day, whether a match is played or not on Saturday.

“There is water crisis …Sometimes, our media people distort the things way too much, and we cannot even play cricket. Wherever there is a stadium…Whether a cricket match is held or not, the ground needs to be watered 365 days (of the year),” Said Modi speaking at a programme where he launched projects under the Smart City mission across 20 cities.

“But the country believed it that since matches are not being held, so the watering also stopped…The country believed this,” the Prime Minister added. “They (grounds) have to be watered for 365 days, that’s how the green cover remains…Otherwise, there will be no game in the stadium even after two years…Don’t know from where (they) bring this new philosophy. Due to the shifting of matches, Maharashtra had to bear a (revenue) loss,” Modi said.

Recently, the IPL matches were shifted from Maharashtra after a PIL was filed against the cricket associations of Mumbai and Maharashtra. The reason for objection was the drought concerns. Eventually, Bombay High Court ruled in favour of the PIL and the BCCI was ordered to shift the matches outside the state.

BCCI were against it initially but had to find a way through after the matter was sought at Supreme Court. Matches which were to be held in Mumbai and Pune were shifted to Visakhapatnam and Raipur respectively. Apart from the league matches, Playoffs and final were also shifted to new venues.