Kolkata: The Kolkata Police has demanded Rs 25 to 30 lakh for providing additional security to the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to be played at the Eden Gardens, though the amount, six times the standard fee, is negotiable.

Seven matches would be played at the Eden starting from April 20 and for every match 5,500 men in uniform and 1,500 men in plain clothes would be deployed, DC (headquarters) Vineet Goyal said yesterday.

The policemen deployed will be in addition to regular personnel on duty. They will look after security at the playing arena, manage traffic around the venue, take care of VIPs and set up cordons around hotels where the players and the VIPs will put up.

Goyal said calculating the rate of payment at Rs 389 for a constable, Rs 457 for an ASI, Rs 671 for a SI and Rs 822 for an inspector for six-hour duty as also a food allowance of Rs 900 per day the total amount would be around Rs 25 to 30 lakh.

He explained that they were demanding six times the normal fee taking into consideration the commercial nature of the tournament as well as some entertainment events being lined up inside the venue.

Cricket Association of Bengal authorities said the amount asked by the police has to be paid by the organisers, Red Chillies Entertainment, only. A spokesman for the Red Chilies Entertainment said they have received the payment proposal by the Kolkata Police.
Source : PTI