Govt should focus on water crisis, not IPL: Rajasthan HC

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the Bench comprising of Justice Ajay Rastogi and Justice DC Somani observed that the state should focus on water rather than focussing on the IPL. The Court observations comes after 19 districts in Rajasthan including Jaipur were declared drought-hit by the government. The Rajasthan government also adopted emergency measures to tackle the drought by sending water trains and tankers to the villages.

The Court had asked the government on April 21, why the matches are being shifted to Rajasthan when a drought situation is going on. On Wednesday, the Bench of Justice Ajay Rastogi and Justice DC Somani asked the government to file a detailed report by April 30 on how it is planning to make potable water available to all people. The case will be heard again on May 3.

The Rajasthan court’s observation is sure to cause headaches to the organisers of the Indian Premier League, after the Bombay High Court ordered the shifting of IPL matches in the month of May out of drought-hit Maharashtra. The Supreme Court also upheld the decision of the Bombay High Court yesterday, to force the BCCI to find alternatives for the 12 IPL matches, including the finale, which were scheduled to be held in Maharashtra.

After the Bombay High Court’s order, Mumbai Indians had opted for Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh stadium as their new home venue, while Rising Pune Supergiants had opted for Vishakhapatnam. Kings XI Punjab, who were supposed to play three home matches in Nagpur, have opted to play their three matches in HPCA stadium in Dharamsala instead. The IPL governing council will meet in Delhi on Friday to finalise the venues.