Rajeev Shukla Rules Out Shifting Indian Premier League Matches Out of Maharashtra

Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday ruled out shifting matches out of Maharashtra on account of drought and water scarcity. Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur in the state would be hosting IPL matches this season. (Indian Premier League Set to Get a Glamorous Opening Ceremony)

"As far as the question of drought, water is concerned, we are with the farmers of Maharashtra, we are ready to help in all possible ways," Shukla said at an event organised by Vivo in Mumbai. (Carlos Brathwaite Will Bring Delhi Daredevils' Fans to Stadium, Says CEO Hemant Dua)

"If the Maharashtra Government brings a proposal, then BCCI President, all of us will think in what way we can help the farmers, and I, through my MPLAD fund, am going to personally adopt some villeges. There is a water crisis in Marathwada, that will be solved." (IPL 2016: Pop Star Chris Brown, Katrina Kaif, Ranveer Singh to Perform at Opening Ceremony)

There is a demand from some quarters that IPL matches should not be played in the state as the preparation of grounds requires huge amounts of water.

IPL Chairman @ShuklaRajiv at #VivoV3Launch pic.twitter.com/LiVfTvtWEp

- IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2016

"If the water needed to irrigate two-three grounds were to solve the problem of Maharashtra's farmers, that would be another thing. I don't think this (saving water by shifting matches) would serve any purpose," he said.

"Sport is a different thing, it needs little water. Farmers need huge amount of water, all political parties should come together to deal with this crisis of water shortage."

There was no proposal to shift the matches or change the schedule, he said to a specific question.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay High Court on Tuesday sought a direction to the IPL Chairman to pay tax on usage of water, claiming that about 60,000 litres of water would be needed every day to maintain the pitches.

Mumbai BJP secretary Vivekananda Gupta too had demanded that IPL matches be shifted out of the state.

The annual Twenty20 extravaganza commences on April 9 in Mumbai.