Nadda, Sukhu among VVIPs turn up for high-voltage tie

Many VVIPs were in the city today to watch the ICC World Cup between India and New Zealand played at the picturesque Dharamsala international cricket stadium. National president of BJP JP Nadda, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, president of BCCI Jai Shah, union minister for sports and youth affairs Anurag Thakur, former CM Jai Ram Thakur and AICC general secretary and in-charge of Himachal congress Rajiv Shukla were among the VVIPs, who watched the high-pitch cricket match.

Besides, many Cabinet ministers in Himachal and ruling and opposition MLAs also watched the match.

The cricket fever gripped Dharamsala as fans painted themselves in colours of Indian team and national flag were seen around the city. The small town of Dharamsala was overwhelmed with the cricket spectators and enthusiasts. Despite police and the district administration making adequate arrangements, traffic jams paralysed main roads in the Dharamsala city. Common citizens of Dharamsala had to face problems reaching their destinations due to traffic jams.

State BJP president Rajiv Bindal, while talking to newsmen, credited the BJP government led by Prem Kumar Dhumal for bringing up the international cricket stadium at Dharamsala. The stadium has given international recognition to the city and has helped promote tourism here, he said.

The district administration was in a frenzy making arrangements for the visiting VVIPS.

With the hotels in Dharamsala reporting just about 60 per cent occupancy during the match, it seems that many tourists and spectators failed to get tickets for the matches.

Dharamsala international cricket stadium set up in the background of Dhauladhar mountain ranges and is considered among the most beautiful venues in the world. The stadium has come a long way in the last 20 years, from a simple playground to being the venue for five ICC World Cup matches being hosted here.

The year 2010 was significant in stadium's history. It was in this year that IPL matches were hosted in Dharamsala. The match attracted thousands of cricket fans and BCCI officials to Dharamsala. In successive two years the IPL matches were main cricketing events which propelled the Dharamsala cricket stadium to international fame.

Fog stops play

In a rare occurrence, dense fog interrupted the World Cup match. Chasing New Zealand's 273, India were 100 for two in 15.4 overs when sudden fog descended on the ground, resulting in poor visibility and forcing the umpires to stop the match for a brief period.

क्रिकेट विश्व कप: सात साल बाद धर्मशाला में भिड़ेंगे भारत-न्यूजीलैंड, 22 अक्तूबर को होगा मुकाबला

धर्मशाला स्टेडियम में सात साल बाद एक बार फिर भारत और न्यूजीलैंड की टीम आमने-सामने होगी। 22 अक्तूबर को भारत और न्यूजीलैंड के बीच क्रिकेट विश्व कप का मुकाबला खेला जाएगा। न्यूजीलैंड की टीम धर्मशाला में भारत के खिलाफ जीत का खाता खेलने के लिए और भारत टीम यहां पर अपने जीत के क्रम को बरकार रखने के लिए मैदान में उतरेगी। न्यूजीलैंड को 2016 में हुए एक दिवसीय मैच में भारत से मिली हार का बदला लेने को मौका रहेगा।

16 अक्तूबर 2016 को भारत और न्यूजीलैंड मैच में भारत ने छह विकेट से जीत हासिल की थी। मैच में पहले बल्लेबाजी करते हुए न्यूजीलैंड की टीम 44वें ओवर में ही 190 के स्कोर पर आलआउट हो गई थी। स्कोर का पीछा करते हुए भारतीय टीम ने 34वें ओवर में चार विकेट खोकर 194 रन बनाकर मैच में जीत हासिल की थी।

इसके अलावा 18 मार्च 2016 में धर्मशाला में टी-20 विश्व कप में न्यूजीलैंड की टीम ने ऑस्ट्रेलिया को 8 रन से हराया था। इस मुकाबले में न्यूजीलैंड की टीम ने पहले बल्लेबाजी करते हुए 20 ओवरों में 8 विकेट खोकर 142 रन बनाए थे। जबकि ऑस्ट्रेलिया की टीम 20 ओवर में नौ विकेट खोकर 134 रन ही बना पाई थी।

एचपीसीए के सचिव अवनीश परमार ने कहा कि 22 अक्तूबर को धर्मशाला स्टेडियम में भारत और न्यूजीलैंड के बीच आईसीसी वनडे क्रिकेट विश्व कप को मुकाबला खेला जाएगा। इससे पूर्व 2016 में धर्मशाला में भारतीय टीम ने एक दिवसीय मैच में न्यूजीलैंड को 6 विकेट से मात दी थी।

Dharamsala to see full house for India-New Zealand match

As many as two trains have been suspended on the UNESCO world heritage Kalka-Shimla track by the railway authorities. The trains have been suspended to carry out the maintenance work on the track.

Talking to The Tribune, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Naveen Kumar, Ambala division of the Railways, said, "The recent flashfloods in the state had caused substantial damage to the heritage track at several places. We have got all major repair work done on the track and restored it for plying of trains. But some work is still left as part of maintenance of the track. So, we have suspended these trains."

On being asked as to for how long the services of these trains would remain suspended, Naveen said, "It depends on how much time all these works would take but roughly it would take close to two months. After that, inspection would be done to decide on whether to resume or complete the maintenance work."

Meanwhile, sources said that timing of these trains was crucial when it comes to convenience of passengers or tourists travelling towards Delhi. Discontinuing them for a long time would affect tourism, especially when tourist inflow has seen substantial increase after the recent rain disaster.

"The train service between Kalka and Shimla is not only a cheaper mode of transportation but also attracts a number of tourists as they get to enjoy scenic natural beauty of hill state while travelling. So, the Railways must resume service of these trains as soon as possible or at least change the timings keeping in view the convenience of tourists/passengers," added sources. Before the rain disaster, seven trains were plying on the heritage track.

Railways to carry out repair work

The railway authorities would carry out the maintenance work during 'day-time margins' between the schedule of trains. The maintenance work to be carried out concerns embankments, ballast work on the track, alignment shifting repair, work on blocked drainage system, bridge strengthening and carrying material where required, among other works.

CM congratulates Dhawan for his inclusion in Indian Cricket Team

CM Virbhadra Singh has congratulated Himachal cricketer Rishi Dhawan for being selected in Indian One Day Cricket Team for Cricket series  to be played in Australia. Rishi Dhawan hails from Mandi district of the State.
In his congratulatory message to Rishi Dhawan and his family members, Chief Minister said that it was a matter of pride for the hill State that he has been selected for the Indian Cricket Team. He hoped that Rishi Dhawan would bring laurels to the State by exhibiting his talent in International arena. He said that youngsters of the State would also be motivated by his achievement.

Kings XI's fear on Punjab situation; Congress assures team

Chandigarh, Dec 7 (IANS) With IPL team Kings XI Punjab seeking a change in home ground from the state's Mohali to Dharamsala in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh on security grounds, Punjab's opposition Congress leadership on Monday urged the team to stay put, saying that the state's situation would not remain the same. According to reports, the KXIP team management has approached the BCCI seeking change of its home ground from Mohali To Dharamshala, citing the security situation and even revival of "terrorism" in Punjab as reasons. Reacting to the KXIP fears on the Punjab situation, Congress' state chief Amarinder Singh on Monday expressed "grave concern over the fears expressed by the Kings XI cricket team about the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab".

from https://in.news.yahoo.com/kings-xis-fear-punjab-situation-congress-assures-team-164404243.html

Women's Cricket on the Rise in Scenic Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association set up the only cricket academy for girls in the country six years ago. Today they have 24 girls from the interiors of the state and their under-19 team has alread...








source: NDTV

Bishan Singh Bedi to Guide Budding Spinners, Wicket-Keepers

Bishan Singh Bedi will be conducting a camp for under 14, 16 and 19 spinners and wicket-keepers at Santoshgarh, UNA Ground in Himachal Pradesh from June 12 to July 6.








source: NDTV

Notice to Himachal over row with cricket body

Shimla, March 25 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the state on a petition filed by the state cricket association led by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, seeking quashing of a police complaint about illegal felling of trees near the international stadium in Dharamsala. Justice Sureshwar Thakur, while hearing the petition of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA ...

Source: IANS

Cricket Fixtures - ICC World Cup 2015

The complete schedule of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

Saturday, February 14
1. Pool A – New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Christchurch 11:00 local/03:30 IST
2. Pool A – Australia v England, Melbourne 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Sunday, February 15
1. Pool B – South Africa v Zimbabwe, Hamilton 14:00 local/06:30 IST
2. Pool B – India v Pakistan, Adelaide 14:00 local/09:00 IST

Monday, February 16
1. Pool B – Ireland v West Indies, Nelson 11:00 local/03:30 IST

Tuesday, February 17

1. Pool A – New Zealand v Scotland, Dunedin 11:00 local/03:30 IST

Wednesday, February 18
1. Pool A – Afghanistan v Bangladesh, Canberra 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Thursday, February 19
1. Pool B – UAE v Zimbabwe, Nelson 11:00 local/03:30 IST

Friday, February 20
1. Pool A – New Zealand v England, Wellington 14:00 local/06:30 IST

Saturday, February 21
1. Pool B – Pakistan v West Indies, Christchurch 11:00 local/03:30 IST
2. Pool A – Australia v Bangladesh, Brisbane 13:30 local/09:00 IST

Sunday, February 22
1. Pool A – Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Dunedin 11:00 local/03:30 IST
2. Pool B – India v South Africa, Melbourne 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Monday, February 23
1. Pool A – England v Scotland, Christchurch 11:00 local/03:30 IST

Tuesday, February 24
1. Pool B – West Indies v Zimbabwe, Canberra 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Wednesday, February 25
1. Pool B – Ireland v UAE, Brisbane 13:30 local/09:00 IST

Thursday, February 26
1. Pool A – Afghanistan v Scotland, Dunedin 11:00 local/03:30 IST
2. Pool A – Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Melbourne 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Friday, February 27
1. Pool B – South Africa v West Indies, Sydney 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Saturday, February 28
1. Pool A – New Zealand v Australia, Auckland 14:00 local/06:30 IST
2. Pool B – India v UAE, Perth 14:30 local/12:00 IST

Sunday, March 1
1. Pool A – England v Sri Lanka, Wellington 11:00 local/03:30 IST
2. Pool B – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Brisbane 13:30 local/09:00 IST

Tuesday, March 3
1. Pool B – Ireland v South Africa, Canberra 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Wednesday, March 4
1. Pool B – Pakistan v UAE, Napier 14:00 local/06:30 IST
2. Pool A – Australia v Afghanistan, Perth 14:30 local/12:00 IST

Thursday, March 5
1. Pool A – Bangladesh v Scotland, Nelson 11:00 local/03:30 IST

Friday, March 6
1. Pool B – India v West Indies, Perth 14:30 local/12:00 IST

Saturday, March 7
1. Pool B – Pakistan v South Africa, Auckland 14:00 local/06:30 IST
2. Pool B – Ireland v Zimbabwe, Hobart 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Sunday, March 8
1. Pool A – New Zealand v Afghanistan, Napier 11:00 local/03:30 IST
2. Pool A – Australia v Sri Lanka, Sydney 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Monday, March 9
1. Pool A – Bangladesh v England, Adelaide 14:00 local.09:00 IST

Tuesday, March 10
1. Pool B – India v Ireland, Hamilton 14:00 local/06:30 IST

Wednesday, March 11
1. Pool A – Scotland v Sri Lanka, Hobart 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Thursday, March 12
1. Pool B – South Africa v UAE, Wellington 14:00 local/06:30 IST

Friday, March 13
1. Pool A – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Hamilton 14:00 local/06:30 IST
2. Pool A – Afghanistan v England, Sydney 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Saturday, March 14
1. Pool B – India v Zimbabwe, Auckland 14:00 local/06:30 IST
2. Pool A – Australia v Scotland, Hobart 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Sunday, March 15
1. Pool B – UAE v West Indies, Napier 11:00 local/03:30 IST
2. Pool B – Ireland v Pakistan, Adelaide 14:00local/09:00 IST

Wednesday, March 18
QF 1 – South Africa v Sri Lanka, Sydney 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Thursday, March 19
QF 2 – India v Bangladesh, Melbourne 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Friday, March 20
QF 3 – Australia v Pakistan, Adelaide 14:00 local/09:00 IST

Saturday, March 21
QF 4 – New Zealand v West Indies, Wellington 14:00 local/06:30 IST

Tuesday, March 24
Semi 1 – New Zealand v South Africa, Auckland 14:00 local/06:30 IST

Thursday, March 26
Semi 2 – India v Australia, Sydney 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Sunday, Mar 29
Final – TBC v New Zealand, Melbourne 14:30 local/09:00 IST

Ranji Trophy: Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Odisha Register Victories

At the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here, Delhi bowled out Gujarat for 166 in second winnings to win the match by an innings and 109 runs. Wednesday's play was just a formality as the visitors were 152 fo...

















source: NDTV

How Anurag Thakur selected himself as captain of Ranji team

On 23 November 2000, on a chilly winter morning at the Maulana Azad Memorial Stadium by the Tawi river in Jammu, Himachal Pradesh faced J&K in what was their fifth match of the 2000-01 Ranji Trophy season. Himachal had by then lost two matches and two others had ended in a draw.

Anurag Thakur, a Himachal player who made his Ranji debut, played a lacklustre innings, getting out for a duck after spending seven minutes at the crease, facing seven balls. But his appearance was remarkable for two reasons.

It was possibly the only time in the 80-year history of Ranji Trophy, India's pre-eminent domestic first class Cricket tournament, that a debuting player was named skipper of a state team. It was also the only instance when the chairman of a state selection committee had selected himself to the team and thought it fit to captain the side.

About two months before that remarkable appearance, Thakur had been elected the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), which meant that he now headed the state selection committee. According to a former HPCA official who served at the time, Thakur had neither appeared in selection trials nor played in inter-district matches—prerequisites to be eligible for a state cap. He was 25 years old then and his father Prem Kumar Dhumal was the chief minister of Himachal. That one appearance gave Thakur first class ranking.

The next year, when it was Himachal's turn to nominate a national selector in a meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the state association president, Thakur, nominated himself, armed with the eligibility of having played in a Ranji side. With cricketing experience of one first class match in which he failed to score a run (but took two wickets), Thakur served as a national junior selector for the next three years. (The BCCI has subsequently raised the eligibility for selectors to 25 Ranji matches). Thakur told ET that he decided to play in that match as Himachal cricket was then in "shambles" and he wanted to "change the attitude" of the team. He said the selectors had asked him to play as he had excellent under-19 and under-16 credentials.

Read full story at:

Economic Times
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/31431494.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Himachal cricket players shine once again

Himachal Pradesh cricket is on rise and its cricketers have swept across all the age groups. First time in the north India's hilly state cricket history, Himachal Pradesh team has reached knock out stage in Under-16, Under-19 and Under-25 level.

Speaking on this achievement by the state boys, President, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) and joint secretary, BCCI Anurag Thakur said: "We are very happy and ecstatic at this historic moment, when we started this journey some years back it was a dream that Himachal teams should play well in the national matches and now our dream has realized."

Thakur said that HPCA is committed to provide world class facilities to the players of our state and the day is not far off when our teams would become champions at the highest level and the players from association will be playing for the nation and making us proud. It is the infrastructure created in last ten years and world class coaching provided in a fair and transparent manner that has made this possible, he added.

"We are striving hard to provide international facilities to all our players and districts. On behalf of all local districts units and HPCA as a whole, I would like to wish the best of luck to all our boys for the knockout stages," he said.

State's under-19 team has topped Cooch Behar Trophy group A elite table. Himachal Pradesh under-19 team is the group leaders with 13 points with Uttar Pradesh team coming second with 12 points. The team won 2 out of the 4 matches it played, the maximum in their group.

In the Under 25, CK Nayudu Trophy, Himachal Pradesh under 25 teams has reached the knock out stage in style. The team has topped plate group A table with victories in 4 out of 5 matches it played. The state under-19 team is the table toppers with 29 points. Kerala under-25 team with 21 points is the distant second. Himachal Pradesh under-16 boys are not far behind. In the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, in the north zone group table, the team has come second with 12 points.

Punjab under-16 team with 20 points is the group leader. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association's thrust on improving the infrastructure throughout the state is paying rich dividends. Players across all age groups are using all the facilities provided to the hilt and this speaks about the robustness of the cricketing system in the state.

The players are soon set to begin their campaign in the knock out stage. In the Cooch Behar trophy, HPCA will play its first match against Karnataka in Bangalore from 5-8 January 2014. In the Vijay Merchant Trophy, HPCA team has got bye in the pre quarterfinal. The state under-16 team will play its quarterfinal match from 12th-15th January in Mumbai.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Himachal-cricket-players-shine-once-again/articleshow/28347222.cms

Himachal Pradesh take 118-run lead over Assam

Seam bowler Rishi Dhawan returned with a five-wicket haul to lead a disciplined bowling attack as Himachal Pradesh dismissed Assam for a meagre 81 in their first innings before themselves reaching 199 for four on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Group C match here today.

Skipper Dhawan led from the front with figures of 13-5-29-5, while his pace partner V S Malik (3/24) took three wickets and Akshay Chauhan (2/23) accounted for two at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium here.

Himachal have already taken 118 runs first innings lead with six wickets remaining.

For Assam, only three batsmen -- Niraj Patel (17), J Syed Mohammad (17) and Dheeraj Jadhav (13) -- reached the double digits after they were put in to bat.

The visitors innings folded in just 32.5 overs.

In reply to Assam's first innings score, Himachal batsmen batted with a lot of responsibility and almost everyone in the top and middle order contributed to the team's cause.

Although all of them wasted their good starts as they lose their wickets after reaching 30s and 40s.

At stumps, Nikhil Gangta was unbeaten on 43 and giving him company at the other end was Rishi Dhawan on 36.

Brief scores:

Assam 1st innings: 81 all out in 32.5 overs (Niraj Patel 17, J Syed Mohammad 17; Rishi Dhawan 5/29, VS Malik 3/24).

Himachal Pradesh: 199 for four in 56 overs (Nikhil Gangta batting 43, Sangram Singh 40, Prashant Chopra 39, Paras Dogra 38).

Rishi Dhawan to lead as Himachal Pradesh announce squad for Ranji Trophy 2013-14

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) on Tuesday announced a 17-member squad, led by pacer Rishi Dhawan, for their Ranji Trophy Group C match against Assam starting from November 28.

Himachal Pradesh, who lost their last match to Hyderabad here, are leading their group with 16 points.

They have won two matches and drawn one besides a loss against Hyderabad last week.

The state association also selected 17 players for Under-19 Cooch Behar Elite Group match between HPCA and Maharashtra to be held from December 1 at Bilaspur.

Meanwhile, five Himachal girls were among the 15-member North Zone squad for Women's Inter Zonal one-day cricket tournament to be held from November 28 at Guwahati.

Himachal's Sushmita Negi will lead the squad.

Ranji Team:

Varun Sharma,
Sangram Singh,
Vishal Bhatia,
Manik Mohil,
Paras Dogra,
Gurvinder Singh,
Pankaj Jaswal,
Prashant Chopra,
Rishi Dhawan (C),
Vikramjeet Malik,
Bipul Sharma,
Ankush Bains,
Akshay Chauhan,
Amit Kumar,
Nikhil Gangta,
Waqar Ahmed,
Karanveer Singh.

U-19 squad: Vinay Kashyap, Mayank Dagar, Arjun Sharma, Abhishek Dadwal, Ekant Sen, Ravi Yadav, Shiva Minhas, Karan Dhiman, Rupam Sabarwal, Gaurav Kumar, Chahat Malhotra, Shivam Puri, Puneet Saini, Priyanshu Khanduri, Jashodhan, Nitin Sharma, Karan Panta.

Himachal Women in North Zone team: Sushmita Negi, Kashish Verma, Neha Chauhan, Tanuja Kanwar and Harleen Kaur.

CM trying to control Himachal cricket body: Thakur

Himachal Pradesh BJP MP and state cricket association chief Anurag Thakur Thursday dared Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to do whatever he could to stop the cricket body from holding matches in its international cricket stadium here.

"The present government is trying to take over the cricket body (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association [HPCA]). It's my open challenge to Virbhadra Singh to do whatever he can. We won't let your dreams be fulfilled," he said while addressing party activists, who gathered here on his birthday.

The state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in August filed a cheating and misappropriation case against the HPCA over alleged wrong-doings in allotment of land to the sports body for constructing a residential complex for the players near its stadium here, some 250 km from the state capital.

The disputed land, three km from the picturesque stadium, has been used by the HPCA to build a five-star residential complex called The Pavilion, which has 38 rooms, 32 huts and a high-tech gym.

The HPCA chief said the Congress government had tried to take control of the cricket body in its previous regime in 2003 also.

"The last time they had brought a sports bill to take over the HPCA and now they are trying it through vigilance enquiries."

The BJP MP, who has been told to appear in the Vigilance Bureau office here Oct 31, said he has replied to everything that has been asked of him.

An investigating officer told IANS that Thakur was earlier sent a questionnaire, comprising eight inquiries.

"We got the reply from him but we are not satisfied. So we summoned him," he said.

"The land allotted to the HPCA was the common village land which could not be given for any commercial activity," said a revenue official, who did not wish to be named.

The land was allotted when the BJP government, headed by Prem Kumar Dhumal, was in power in the state.

Thakur, who is Dhumal's son, alleged that the case against HPCA is politically motivated. Thakur is also a joint secretary in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers -- Deepak Sanan and R.S. Gupta -- were charge sheeted by the state government July 26 for allegedly allowing the change in the land-use for building the HPCA complex.

Harbhajan to set up academy in HPCA stadium

Shimla, Oct 11 (IANS) After Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh Friday announced to open his academy in association with the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in its picturesque stadium in Dharamsala.

Via: http://in.news.yahoo.com/harbhajan-set-academy-hpca-stadium-125804411.html

Thakur for setting up zonal cricket academies

Shimla, Sep 29 (IANS) Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) joint secretary Anurag Thakur Sunday said cricket academies at zonal level would be set up to sharpen skills at the junior level.

Via: http://in.news.yahoo.com/thakur-setting-zonal-cricket-academies-151005491.html

HPCA used education dept land without permission: Vigilance bureau

The probe being conducted into the allotment of land to Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has now revealed that around 700 square meters of land belonging to the education department was included in the stadium without any prior permission and structures on this piece of land were razed without any approval. After coming to know about this fact, now the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau officials are going to question education department officials.

ADGP (vigilance bureau) Prithviraj Singh said that during investigation illegal encroachment on 700 square meters of land was found on the part of HPCA. "This land belonged to education department but now is part of the stadium," he said. The ADGP said that an inquiry had further revealed that existing structures on this land were demolished without any permission.

Now the vigilance bureau has decided to seek an explanation from the education department whether any permission was obtained by HPCA for transfer of the land, and if not then why the education department did not lodge a complaint. According to vigilance sources, residential quarters were to be made for college staff on the said land.

HPCA is already facing a probe for turning the association into a company on a "fake address" given while registering the company in Kanpur and also for alleged changes in land lease agreement. In a bid to stop HPCA president Anurag Thakur from participating in the voting for Belection being held on September 29, Registrar Cooperative Societies has sent a letter to BCCI president on Wednesday informing him that for election HPCA is not a valid body owing to ongoing dispute, sources said.

On August 1 this year, the vigilance bureau had registered a case against HPCA for cheating and misleading state authorities while on September 7, the Registrar of Societies, Shimla, had issued directions to the Kangra district administration for superintendence control of the association.

While hearing a petition filed by HPCA, a division bench of Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice Kuldip Singh recently directed the petitioners to appear before the Registrar of Societies on September 30, 2013 at 11:30 am and to submit their objections, preliminary objections, which shall be decided by the Registrar of Societies.

Trouble for Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association

There was more trouble for the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), headed by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, as the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau found the sports body's initially registered address in Kanpur as "bogus". During a recent investigation, state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau found that the Kanpur address was bogus. A team led by assistant superintendent of police Jograj Jariyal visited the Kanpur address. "A vigilance team had visited Kanpur and found that the office associated with the HPCA is fictitious and non-existent," an investigator told IANS, on the condition of anonymity, here Tuesday.