India Cements, on Friday, finally accepted that star off-spinner R. Ashwin has forwarded his resignation to the company. K.S. Viswanathan, a part of India Cements’ senior cricket management team, said to Sportstar , “Yes, he [Ashwin] has sent his resignation.” He however added, “We are yet to give him the relieving order.” Such an order is essential for an employee to move from one company to another.
While India Cements, publicly, has been saying that it does not want to hold back any cricketer from leaving, there is an issue to be sorted out between the company and Ashwin. Sportstar has learnt that there is a service tax issue to be thrashed out between India Cements and Ashwin. And the amount in question is over Rs. 1.5 crore.
A source told this newspaper that the money was paid by India Cements, in the belief that Ashwin would continue with it, just months before the off-spinner put in his papers. And the company is said to be feeling miffed now. Transfer of leading cricketers from one club to another has always been a contentious issue in the Chennai corporate world given the significance attached to the Raja of Palayampatti Shield, the symbol of supremacy in the TNCA first division league.
There is a possibility that both the parties involved in this case could still resolve the issue. It’s a scenario that will see Ashwin joining Chemplast, Vijay CC’s arch rival. The Chemplast officials have been tight-lipped about Ashwin joining the firm. In the absence of a relieving order for Ashwin (so far), there is little they can do from their side. So the stalemate continues.
Meanwhile, the deadline for filing nominations for the posts of the various office-bearers ahead of the AGM on June 25 expired on Friday. And nobody from the camp other than the ruling one has thrown his hat in the ring. In other words nobody signed the nomination papers.
This means the candidates of the ruling group, who have signed the nomination papers, will get elected automatically. It’s only different in the case of the president, who could be challenged on the floor of the house.
Comments
SHARE