Iconic Kala Bhavan ground shut over mounting tax dues

Vadodara: For decades, hockey flourished at city's historic Kala Bhavan ground — a venue that nurtured talent and produced players like Olympian Govindrao Sawant, who learnt the game here before representing India on the international stage. But the legacy of this iconic ground was disrupted when players were forced to vacate it following a tax dispute with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC).The standoff escalated in 2017, when the VMC imposed a hefty commercial tax on the property and sealed the ground, effectively halting all hockey activities. The hockey association maintained that it was not engaged in any commercial operations and was instead promoting the sport by coaching youngsters, many from underprivileged backgrounds, free of cost. Despite appeals for relief, the ground remained shut, leaving players without a proper facility for several months until an alternative space was eventually allotted in Akota.The issue, however, had been brewing for years. In 2013, the VMC had first sealed the expansive ground—owned by the Gaekwad royal family—and levied a commercial tax of over Rs 30 lakh. Although the ground was later reopened, the dues continued to mount with interest. By 2017, the outstanding amount had swelled to Rs 64 lakh, prompting the civic body to seal the 8,000 sq ft facility once again.While the VMC justified its action by citing uniform commercial tax assessment for playgrounds, the hockey association argued that such a policy failed to recognise the social role it played. With no revenue-generating activity and a focus on grassroots training, the association said it could not bear such financial burden.The deadlock finally eased in 2018, when royal scion Samarjitsinh Gaekwad stepped in and paid Rs 32 lakh towards the dues and then closed the ground so it did not attract the commercial tax rate.