Sports Minister open to approach Home Ministry on IPL-7 issue

Sports Minister Jitendra Singh said that he was open to discuss security related issues for the hosting of the IPL in the country with the Home Ministry if the concerned authorities approach him with a formal request.

"I have not got any formal communique or request. Formally, I have not been requested. If they request us, we will definitely take it up with the home ministry," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

Despite the sports ministry having no authority on providing security to IPL matches, Singh commented after he was asked about his opinion as a sports minister on the possibility of the cash-rich T20 tournament being shifted out of India.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde earlier in the day said that the government would not be able to provide adequate security for IPL -- likely to be held between April 9 and June 3 -- as its dates clash with general elections.

"Due to general elections, it will be difficult to provide adequate security to IPL matches," Shinde told reporters here.

More than 1.20 lakh central paramilitary force personnel, in addition to state police forces, are expected to be deployed for the multi-phased Lok Sabha polls which are likely to be held in April-May.