Cabinet to decide on resumption of matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium
Bengaluru (PTI): The fate of hosting cricket matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will be decided at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said.
Cricket matches have remained suspended at the stadium after celebrations marking Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title win in June 2025 ended in tragedy, leaving 11 people dead and more than 30 injured in a stampede outside the venue.
Thousands of fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of the team.
To probe the incident and prevent such occurrences in the future, the Karnataka government constituted a committee headed by retired High Court judge Justice John Michael Cunha.
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The panel submitted a series of short-term and long-term recommendations aimed at strengthening crowd management and safety measures.
With the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and RCB pushing for the resumption of matches at the venue, the state government has maintained that games cannot be held unless the recommendations of the Justice Cunha Committee are implemented.
Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said he would brief his Cabinet colleagues on his discussions with the KSCA and RCB regarding hosting IPL matches at the stadium.
The KSCA office-bearers and RCB representatives met the minister earlier in the day.
"We told them that if they want matches to take place, they must comply with the recommendations of the Justice John Michael Cunha Committee," Parameshwara said.
According to the minister, the KSCA and RCB have already implemented some of the short-term measures suggested by the panel.
He noted that the IPL season is set to begin soon and that, as defending champions, RCB are scheduled to play their opening match in Bengaluru in accordance with the norms.
Parameshwara added that the state government had also formed a committee comprising officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s Office, and representatives of various departments to assess the implementation of the Cunha Committee’s recommendations. The panel has submitted its report.
"We have received the report and examined its pros and cons. As the home minister, I was entrusted by the Cabinet with holding discussions with the stakeholders and briefing the ministers. I will place the matter before the Cabinet today, and a decision will be announced thereafter," he said.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
