The West Bengal government's initial administrative steps, including an inquiry committee appointed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, may fall short in appeasing the thousands of heartbroken fans who missed seeing Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium last Saturday. The committee stated on Tuesday that it would recommend methods to refund approximately 34,000 spectators, but for many, this is a cold consolation for a lost dream.
Refund Process: A Priority with Procedural Hurdles
State government sources at Nabanna have emphasized that refunding the ticket money is the current top priority. A state minister categorically stated, "The money must be refunded. There is no alternative." Administrative offices in Nabanna and Bhawani Bhawan have begun examining the refund mechanism, which officials claim is not inherently complicated. However, the process has not yet commenced due to certain circumstances under review.
A police official at Bhawani Bhawan indicated, "We are aiming for a refund in the next 10 days but it might get stretched to a couple of weeks due to procedural issues." The primary procedural snag involves the chief organizer, Shatadru Dutta, whose final signing authority is required for the refunds. With Dutta currently in police custody, it remains uncertain how these financial tasks can be expedited through him.
Fan Sentiment: Anger, Disappointment, and Financial Sacrifice
For the fans, a refund is merely the bare minimum and does little to heal the emotional wound. "We would not have bought the tickets if we cared only about the money. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Messi. People are very sad as well as very angry. However, refunding the money is the least they can do now," expressed fan Pritam Dey.
Many supporters, like Avick Chakraborty, had saved meticulously for months to afford the expensive tickets, some costing as much as Rs 15,000. "It was a life-time opportunity for many of us to see Messi in front of our eyes. Many of us saved money from our salaries to buy a ticket just to get a glimpse of Messi. Refunding the money will at least give us some consolation," said Chakraborty, capturing the sentiment of countless others.
The Logistics of Refunding 49,000 Tickets
Industry experts from event management companies clarify that refund contingencies are always part of event planning. The head of one such company noted, "The refund can be processed within seven to 10 days at most. It's not a big deal. Such incidents have happened worldwide before and will happen in the future. So, the process has to be simple." Typically, a 90-day window is standard, but it usually takes less time.
The tickets were sold via an online platform primarily known for food delivery. The ticket money is currently held by this company, which will initiate refunds only upon instruction from the state administration. However, the refund will not be for the full face value. The platform will deduct GST, its service fee, and a standard 4%-6% non-refundable tax (as mentioned on tickets) before returning the balance to Dutta's organization, which is then responsible for reimbursing the spectators.
Of the approximately 49,000 tickets released for the stadium gallery, around 15,000 were complimentary. The remaining sold tickets constitute the pool for which refunds are being organized. While the state and experts assert the process is straightforward, the intersection of legal custody, financial authority, and procedural checks means fans' wait for compensation, though prioritized, may yet see some delays.
