Since the IPL matches kicked off on April 8 at the brand new Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium located at Gahunje near the city, revenue has been flowing into the state government coffers by way of entertainment tax.
On one particular day earlier this month, there was an inflow of Rs 48 lakh in entertainment tax on tickets sold, and so far the state government has made Rs 2 crore on five matches that have been played at the stadium.
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Money spinner: The Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium at Gahunje. Pic/Krunal Gosavi
This is the first time the city and its vicinity is witnessing such a huge inflow of entertainment tax and since the IPL matches began, the average daily income in way of tax on entry tickets has been Rs 38 lakh. “To receive such a huge amount as entertainment tax is common in Mumbai, but it has never happened in this city before,” additional entertainment tax duty officer, Dilip Jadhav said.
Jadhav added that on May 3, when Pune Warriors India (PWI) played against Mumbai Indians, the department raked in as much as Rs 48 lakh, which is the highest so far, in barely four hours of ticket sales. The minimum cost for a ticket for one match in Sahara Stadium is Rs 250 per person, while the maximum rate could go to Rs 15,000.
“We charge ten per cent entertainment tax on each u00a0ticket. The collected amount is later used for various governmental schemes,” Jadhav said. With four more matched left to be played in the city, expectations remain high. “We are expecting similar amounts for the upcoming matches too, which will later be useful for various good causes,” Jadhav said.
Anchor and sports analyst Sunandan Lele said the sport is not only helping the government generate funds, but is a good form of entertainment for everyone. “The crowds gathering at the stadium are unbelievable. Not only cricket fans, but anyone with any interest in the game is turning up at the stadium to cheer the teams on,” Lele said.u00a0The four remaining matches promise to be crowd-pullers, as PWI will have to fight it out with various teams. One match is scheduled to be played today. u00a0u00a0
Entertainment tax collected so far
>> Pune Warriors India vs Kings XI Punjab:u00a0Rs 31.4 lakh
>>u00a0u00a0PWI Vs Chennai Super Kings: Rs 39.16 lakh
>>u00a0u00a0PWI Vs Delhi Daredevils: Rs 39.16 lakh
>>u00a0PWI Vs Deccan Chargers: Rs 31.4 lakh
>>u00a0u00a0PWI Vs Mumbai Indians: Rs 48.34 lakhu00a0
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