Gujarat Lions asked to pay Rs 3 crore as Entertainment Tax

Rajkot-based franchise Gujarat Lions have been issued a notice to pay Entertainment tax of Rs 3 crores for playing two games at the Green Park in Kanpur. The UP government lately had announced to levy entertainment taxes on international and IPL games that will take place in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Gujarat played two ‘home games’ on May 10 and 13. According to reports, the UP government had asked the entertainment department to collect the amount of Rs 3 crore from Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) before the games were played but UPCA had sought time before the district magistrate.

UPCA says they are not liable to pay taxes

After the commencement of the matches, UPCA had stated that the two games were ‘home’ games of Gujarat Lions and the state body had nothing to do with them hence are not liable to pay entertainment taxes. Following this development, the entertainment department as per TOI has now sent a notice to the Gujarat Lions to pay the entertainment taxes for their last two games of the season.

Gujarat along with Rising Pune Supergiant were incepted in the IPL last year following the bans of two of their franchises: Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

GL lost both their games held at the Green Park in Kanpur. Defending a target on both occasions, Gujarat were defeated by Delhi Daredevils followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad by 2 and 8 wickets respectively.

After a wonderful first season, where the Suresh Raina-led the Lions ended the season as the table toppers as they won 9 out of 14 games to finish with 18 points, they had a forgetful season this year finishing 7th in the points table with just 4 wins out of 14 games.

The contract of the franchise was just for two years hence, Gujarat Lions won’t be seen in action in the IPL next year.