Pawar shouldn't have attended cab meet on tax sop to ICC

BJP on Friday said ICC chief and Union Minister Sharad Pawar should not have participated in the union cabinet meeting which approved income tax exemption to the cricketing body for the World Cup matches and demanded the government explain how the relief was being given.

"It would have been appropriate if Sharad Pawar had not participated in the cabinet meeting. We would also like to ask the government of India on what basis it gave this sanction (tax exemption)," BJP Chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He sought to know "how this situation arose" in the first place.

The BJP leader argued the ICC should not be given a tax exemption as it makes huge profits and has no shortage of funds.

Asked about permission not being granted to some media organisations to cover the cricket World cup finals, Prasad said "cricket is not just a game simpliciter. It has now virtually become a national game. People want to know what is happening in the game all the time."

He asked ICC to consider the plea of the masses and take some action in this regard.

"ICC may have some commercial interests but regardless of that, it should also consider this request from media houses," Prasad said.