The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to donate Rs 20 crore for the welfare of country’s armed forces, a PTI report claims.

The report also suggests that BCCI official plans to invite senior dignitaries from the Indian armed forces (Army, Airforce, and Navy) on the day of the IPL opener in Chennai on March 23.

"Yes, the CoA has sanctioned Rs 20 crore which will be contributed towards the Army Welfare Fund. On the opening day with both Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli being present, the first portion of the said amount will be handed over to one of the dignitaries," a senior BCCI official privy to the development told PTI.

In the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack last month wherein 40 CRPF jawans were martyred, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) running BCCI had decided against having any glittering opening ceremony of IPL 2019 and instead contributed the entire amount for the welfare of armed forces.

"The budget of IPL opening ceremony was around Rs 15 crore during the last edition. It was a decision that BCCI will raise it to Rs 20 crore. The amount will be contributed towards Army Welfare Fund as well as National Defence Fund," the official added.

It was acting president CK Khanna, who had initially proposed to the CoA that a contribution of Rs 5 crore be made in this regard.

"I am not aware of the amount that CoA has earmarked for donation. If it is Rs 20 crore, then it is a piece of great news. This is the least we could do for our soldiers," Khanna said.

During the recently held Ranchi ODI against Australia, Indian cricketers had also donated their match fee for the welfare of the families of the martyrs.

(With PTI inputs)