With Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh scheduled to perform in his hometown Ludhiana on New Year’s Eve (December 311), black-marketing of concert tickets is rampant, with sellers doubling or tripling their original price.
The police said that they cannot take action on their own until a formal complaint is filed.
On Tuesday, after concert ticket sales went live on Zomato Live at 2pm, the entire batch was sold out in 12-15 minutes. Soon after, social media platforms were flooded with posts offering tickets at inflated prices.
The Ludhiana concert marks the conclusion of Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati tour, which began in Delhi in October. Tickets were available in four categories namely Fan Pit (Rs 14,999/each), Gold (Rs 8,999/each), Silver (Rs 4,999/each), and Lounge (Rs 50,000/each).
A resident revealed that a silver ticket originally priced at Rs 4,999 was being sold for Rs 18,000. Gold tickets worth Rs 8,999 are being sold for Rs 20,000, while lounge tickets worth Rs 50,000 are being sold in the black market for Rs 1-2 lakh. Fan pit tickets are being sold for Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000,’ he said.
Another resident said, “Tickets for Zomato Live sold out within minutes. My son was adamant about going to the concert, so I had to buy two gold tickets for Rs 20,000.”
Activist Kuldeep Singh Khaira said that tickets are being black marketed openly on social media. “Police and administration should match the ID proof used for ticket booking with those present at the venue. This can help curb illegal practices,” he suggested.
A local resident added, “People are openly posting Instagram and Facebook stories offering tickets at double or triple the price. Most buyers seem to buy the tickets to resell them for a profit. “
Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said, ‘We can take action against the illegal sale of tickets only if there is a complaint. No complaint has been filed so far.”
Reacting to the issue, Dosanjh had earlier addressed the issue at an Indore concert. “This issue of black market has been going on for years. If tickets are sold at high prices, is it the artist’s fault? ‘Das ka mauri’ (buy at 10, sell at 20) has been around since the birth of Indian cinema. The difference is that the singers who actually perform are at the forefront. The time has come for independent music. “
PAU was finalized as the concert venue
The Ludhiana district administration has given permission to use the football ground of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for the concert. The host will pay 20.65 lakhs rent and 3 lakhs refundable security deposit.
Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal confirmed that organizers have been instructed to adhere to strict conditions. As PAU is an educational institution, alcohol cannot be consumed. The organizers should also ensure cleanliness of the campus after the event. Arrangements have been made to gather around 50,000 people,’ he said.
PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Satvir Singh Ghosal has approved the lease of the football field. The fees include Rs 9 lakh for the installation period (December 25-30), Rs 2.5 lakh for the event day (December 31) and Rs 4.5 lakh for the dismantling period (1-3) including parking charges for December 31. included. The total, including GST, comes to Rs 20.65 lakh.
Diljit’s Ludhiana Connection
Diljit Dosanjh has often expressed his love for Ludhiana, the beginning of his music career. Born in Dosanjh Kalan village in Jalandhar, Diljit moved to Ludhiana at the age of 11 to live with his maternal uncle.
He started singing devotional songs in Gurudwaras while in school and recorded his first album Ishq Da Uda Ada in 2003 in Ludhiana. During a recent tour to promote Jatt & Juliet 3, he reminisced about his early days and his love for the city’s landmarks. , such as Ghanta Ghar and Chaura Bazar.
“This is the real Ludhiana … my city Ludhiana,” he said, enjoying the trampling on the side of the road.
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