After slapgate, it’s lockgate

By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Jaipur, May 9: Drama preceded the match between Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here as employees of the Rajasthan Sports Council locked up four inner gates for three hours, a situation that threatened to block entry to about 3,000 spectators.

They were protesting against the alleged high-handed behaviour of the Rajasthan Cricket Association officials. The gates were unlocked at 5 pm, three hours before the game, after top RCA officials apologised to the agitated employees.

The RCA owns the north and south blocks of the Sawai Man Singh Stadium while the Rajasthan Sports Council, a government wing, is in control of the massive west block building.

The problem began when the RSC staffers were asked to clear their offices by 2 pm on match days citing security reasons, an order which has not gone down well with them. They also allege that security personnel had been blocking their entry to the stadium despite being shown identity cards.

On Friday, some vehicles belonging to the staff had been towed from the stadium premises, angering the employees and triggering the protests.

Though RCA secretary Subhash Joshi and deputy president Bimal Roy Soni accepted the blame and apologised to the staff after deliberations with RSC secretary T. C. Saharan, insiders in the RCA said the problem arose as the RSC staffers demanded more complimentary tickets.

However, the staff had refused the complimentaries offered by Mr Joshi and Mr Soni after the settlement.

"The issue has been resolved amicably. We are of the opinion that dignity is important for an individual. I had spoken to (RCA president and IPL Commissioner) Lalit Modi, who felt the same," Joshi said.

"The security personnel have been instructed to allow RSC staffers on the basis of their ID cards," Soni said.