Ticketing issues cause rift in Kochi

Ticket prices and entertainment tax levied on them have driven a new wedge between the Kochi franchise and the local franchise.

Ticket prices and entertainment tax levied on them have driven a new wedge between the Kochi franchise and the local franchise. On Tuesday, a miffed Kochi franchise blasted the corporation and threatened to shift the venue from Kochi next season if it continued.

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The latest tussle happened when the Kochi corporation body asked for entertainment tax on the complimentary tickets given away by the franchise. According to Chintan Vohra, a co-owner of the franchise, they have paid more than Rs 2 crore for the first two matches Kochi have hosted so far.

"Among that, Rs 26 lakh was only for the complimentary tickets," said Vohra.

"The corporation is not helping us in any way. We are offering a third ticket absolutely free with two tickets sold. But we have to pay tax even on that free ticket. The corporation is not even waiving that," said Vohra onTuesday.

Apparently, the corporation asked for taxes on tickets of the grand stand at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium according to old rates. "Normally, the tickets are priced at Rs 15,000 but we decided to make it almost complimentary by slashing the price to Rs 49," said a KCA official who didn't want to be named.

"But the corporation insisted that we pay taxes according to the standard rate of Rs 15,000. We have now decided to return those tickets. As a result, the owners have to sit in another block with no AC or toilets," said the KCA official.