18% GST on reservation of Ramlila Maidan as a place of protest like Rahul Gandhi’s block rally in India on November 1; what are the other fees? | Today’s news
The INDIA bloc will hold a ‘Chalo Dilli’ mega rally and march at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026 to protest alleged voter manipulation through Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Booking Ramlila Maidan for one day is said to involve expenses of Rs ₹1,21,080, inclusive of 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Fees include ground rent, security deposit, sanitation fees and license fees.
Rahul Gandhi announces a march to Ramlila Maidan on November 1
Opposition Lok Sabha Speaker Rahul Gandhi on Saturday invited people to join a march in the national capital ahead of a planned INDIA Bloc rally.
In a post on X, Gandhi shared the proposed route and timing and announced that the march will begin at Minto Road junction near Connaught Place on Sunday at noon. The participants would proceed towards Ajmeri Gate before reaching Ramlila Maidan.
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“I’ll see you tomorrow, we’ll go together,” he said.
However, news agency ANI, citing Delhi Police sources, said that no permission was sought for the proposed march from Connaught Place. The police granted permission for the INDIA Bloc assembly at Ramlila Maidan, but this did not cover the street procession.
Ramlila Maidan Booking Charges: What are the charges apart from 18% GST?
The MCD, which manages Ramlila Maidan, has a fee structure that includes the following components for general one-day booking, according to an NDTV report:
DetailsAmount Security ₹50,000 Ground Protection Fees ₹Rental charges 5000 per day ₹Sanitation fees 50,000 ₹4,000 license fee ₹2000 GST (18%) ₹10,080 Total initial payment ₹1,21,080
The ₹The deposit of NOK 50,000 is refundable, subject to the relevant conditions. Without this amount, the other fees are total ₹71,080.
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However, the MCD subsequently clarified, according to a Times of India report, that protests at Ramlila Maidan would be allowed without rent charges, subject to a police no-objection certificate (NOC) and a refundable security payment of Rs. ₹5000. Organizers have to submit an offline application along with their organization’s letterhead and Aadhaar details.
Which three places are designated as protest sites?
On October 11, the Delhi Police issued an order that removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites and identified three alternative sites for demonstrations.
– Ramlila Maidan: Located in the center of Delhi, it traditionally hosts large political rallies, demonstrations and public gatherings. MCD manages its bookings.
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– Burari Ground: Located in North Delhi, the venue is a large open area managed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
– CBD Ground: Located at Shahdara in East Delhi, it is another designated demonstration site under the DDA.
How much does it cost to book other protest venues in Delhi?
DDA manages the reservations for CBD Ground and Burari Ground. However, separate rates for political demonstrations at these locations were not set out in the October reports.
According to NDTV, a trial calculation on DDA’s online reservation portal for a 3,000 square meter plot at CBD Ground under the social welfare action category showed a deposit of ₹95,832, sanitary charges ₹9,982 and GST of ₹1,800. The total initial payment came to ₹1,07,614.
Without a refundable deposit, the daily expenses paid off ₹11,782.
(Disclaimer: These calculations are indicative portal estimates and should not be taken as confirmed protest booking fees.)
