Mumbai Cricket Association yet to clear Police dues of Rs 3.60 crores for bandobast provided for matches

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) requires thousands of police personnel to man the security during the matches played out in MUMBAI, but when it comes to making payments for utilising the services, the attitude becomes lethargic. In an information provided to RTI Activist Anil Galgali by the police department, it has come to light that the department is yet to receive Rs 3.60 crores as charges for providing security for the last 6 matches. The Mumbai Police is on a cautionary mode as the MCA is controlled by NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and BJP leader Ashish Shelar's panel RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought information from the Mumbai Police about details of security provided during matches to MCA and it's charges since 1st January 2011 onwards. The Public Information Officer and Asst Police Commissioner (Coordination) Ramesh Ghadavale provided the information compiled by the Bandobast Division that, during the ICC T-20 World cup in 2016 , 6 matches were played in Mumbai for which Rs 60 lakhs per match was charged amounting to Rs 3.60 crores, which is still due from the MCA. On 10th March New Zealand V/s Srilanka, 12 th March - New Zealand V/s England and India V/s South Africa, 16th March - West Indies V/s England, 18th March - South Africa V/s England, 20th March - South Africa v/s West Indies and 31st March - India V/s West Indies were played out. # Payment collection procedure initiated after receiving the RTI query The Mumbai Police provided it's 3756 personal for bandobast duty but failed to recover the payment of the bills raised. After receiving the RTI query filed by Anil Galgali, On 24th June 2016 , DCP (Campaign) Ashok Dudhe sent a letter to DCP ( Local Arms) to follow up for payment of Rs 3.60 crores with MCA . But the MCA has yet to take cognisance of the issue. # No levy of Interest charges for the delayed payment The dues of Rs 3.60 crores pending since past 4 months has not been charged interest as of now. The complacency the Police department towards recovery and the laxity exhibited by bot charging interest on the dues has raised questions on the working of the department. Prior to this, in 2011 the Police department was paid Rs 2 crores 65 lakhs 49 thousand 885 for providing bandobast for 4 matches. According to Anil Galgali, it was obligatory for the MCA to make immediate payment of the police dues for the security provided for the matches, which is a huge revenue earner for the MCA. Also the Police Commissioner should take action against the responsible officers of the Local Arms divisions for not pursuing the payment recovery of the services provided. They should also ensure that the payment henceforth be collected in advance or at least immediately on completion of the match, so that the department does not have to bear the stress for ensuring recovery of the dues.