IANS

Kolkata, Dec 31: Having drawn a flak for the light fiasco during Dec 24 India-Sri Lanka one-day match at the Eden Gardens, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Wednesday said it would henceforth buy or hire generator and take charge of power distribution during day-night engagements.

"We will buy or hire a new generator. We will henceforth be in charge of power distribution to the floodlight towers," CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya told reporters at the Eden Gardens.

In a sarcastic reference to the power utility CESC, with which the CAB had engaged in a blame game after the 26-minute stoppage in the game following a floodlight problem, Dalmiya said: "Thanks for what you have done. From now on, you will be giving the back-up. We will be the main supplier".

Dalmiya said the power supplied by the CESC would be kept as emergency back-up.

To a query, Dalmiya said money would not be a problem for getting the generator and for meeting the other expenses that might be incurred for supplying power.

"The amount may be Rs.5 crore or Rs.10 crore. But that's not the issue."

The match was disrupted for 26 minutes with four balls remaining in the Sri Lankan innings after the bulbs in one of the four floodlight towers at the High Court end of the ground conked. All the agencies involved have denied their responsibility.

A seven-member probe committee comprising representatives of the state Public Works Department, CESC, police and the CAB has already submitted a report, though the findings are yet to be officially announced. However, there are indications that it has nailed CAB.

Dalmiya, however, said he was still waiting to see the report, and added that the CAB was also conducting a probe.