Police fail to recover their dues from PCA

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 11

While the Mohali police and their counterparts in Chandigarh are again on their toes to provide fool-proof security cover to the Indian and Sri Lankan teams and at IS Bindra PCA Stadium for the upcoming one-day international cricket match here, they have failed to recover the pending amount of their security bills, running into several crores. 

The Mohali police have to recover around Rs 13 crore while the Chandigarh Police have to recover Rs 4.26 crore from PCA for providing security during the international cricket matches being hosted by the association since 1995. 

Despite several reminders and efforts, the police have failed to recover even a single penny from the hosts. 

Asked to comment on the issue today, Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh Chahal said the matter was with the higher authorities. “They will look into it. We have no option but to provide security for international matches,” said the SSP.

Another senior-ranked police official admitted that the issue was complex. “We raise bills after every match or tourney for the hosts, but they are least bothered about these. As many as 22 years have passed since the PCA hosted its first international match. We are yet to recover the amount of the first bill,” said the official on condition of anonymity. 

The first security bill raised by the Mohali police for the PCA in 1995 was for Rs 4.89 lakh. 

“Bills and reminders are being sent regularly to the PCA, but the end result is zero,” said the official. 

Despite repeated attempts, the PCA CEO, Brig GS Sandhu, could not be contacted for comments.