IPL matches get in-principle nod at Chinnaswamy Stadium: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said the government has given "in-principle approval" for IPL matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, a decision on allowing celebrations at the venue in the future will be taken separately, he added.
He made it clear that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which manages the stadium, must comply with the safety and security requirements recommended by the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission before the matches.
The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to grant conditional approval for IPL matches at the stadium.
Matches were stopped at the Chinnaswamy Stadium after a stampede occurred outside the venue during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebrations on June 4 last year, in which 11 people died.
The Justice Cunha Commission was constituted to probe the incident.
"We have said that we will give them (KSCA) in-principle approval. They were informed earlier that they must comply with the recommendations made by the Justice Cunha Commission. There are three components—immediate measures, short-term measures to be implemented ahead of matches, and long-term infrastructure upgrades, which will take time," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said clear instructions had been issued to the KSCA regarding the measures to be taken before matches.
"I have also constituted a committee in this regard, headed by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Commissioner Maheshwara Rao and comprising Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and officials from the fire, health and PWD departments, among others. They will oversee and ensure that IPL matches are conducted smoothly," he said.
"We will also deploy the required personnel from the police department—four times more," he added.
Stating that the measures suggested to the KSCA are in line with the Justice Cunha Commission’s recommendations, the home minister said, "We are not doing anything new."
Safety is of "utmost importance", and instructions are being issued accordingly, he said.
He added that no incidents had occurred at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the past 50 years during matches. "This (stampede) happened during celebrations. We will decide whether to allow celebrations at the stadium in the future," he said.
In December, based on the report of the GBA chief-led committee, the government denied permission to host a Vijay Hazare Trophy match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, as the KSCA had failed to comply with the safety and security requirements recommended by the Justice Cunha Commission.
The commission, constituted to investigate the June 4 stampede, reportedly concluded that the "design and structure" of the stadium were "unsuitable and unsafe" for mass gatherings, officials said.
The commission recommended adequate gates for mass entry and exit, purpose-built queuing and circulation zones separated from public roads, emergency evacuation plans compliant with international safety norms, and sufficient parking facilities, among other measures.
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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.
