Lodha Panel not happy with BCCI

The Lodha panel which was responsible for making recommendations such as reforms in the practices and procedures of the BCCI and also amendments in the Memorandum of Association and Rules & Regulations has reportedly made its displeasure known to the BCCI. The recommendations included streamlining the conduct of elections of officials as well as eligibility conditions

In the month of August, BCCI President Anurag Thakur had announced that the Board planned to go ahead with its annual general meeting which is scheduled for September 21 in Mumbai. Since then it has been understood that the veracity and the legality of the AGM will be challenged as constitutional changes are a requisite in order for the AGM to gain any validity.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) was also made its stance clear on Monday that it wouldn’t interfere with the Supreme Court ruling through its chief executive, David Richardson. In fact, Richardson had made it clear that the ICC Chairman, Shashank Manohar would refuse to get involved unless there is an official request from the BCCI.

Back when the Supreme Court had given its verdict, Justice F.M.I Khalifulla and Chief Justice of India, Justice T.S. Thakur had advised the Board to let go of their “ego” and instead usher in the long-needed reforms into the sport for the sake of the game. In fact, recommendations such as the ones listed below have even been endorsed by the Bench:

1. One State, One Vote
2. Capping an age limit for cricket administrators at 70.
3. Keeping government ministers and bureaucrats out.
4. Including a nominee of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) office.
5. Three-year term with a cooling-off period between two successive terms
6. Grounds for disqualification.

The recommendations basically look to overhaul the existing BCCI organizational set up so that it can promote the principles of transparency and accountability. BCCI being the richest cricket board has come under the scanner due to a spate of scandals in the past few years and the Lodha panel took all this into consideration along with the Mudgal Committee report before submitting its report.

Speaking to the PTI, Dave Richardson was quoted as saying, “The BCCI president Mr. Thakur did verbally ask the ICC to write a letter to the BCCI asking the BCCI to explain whether the recommendations of Lodha Committee might constitute government interference”

"But Mr Manohar said that the ICC should not write such a letter unless the BCCI first writes to the ICC requesting ICC to intervene, or ICC receives a letter from another of its member boards to do so. But no such letters have been received.

“So I understand that Mr Manohar is reluctant to interfere in the domestic affairs of a member country. He will not do so without being formally requested to do so by the member concerned and nor is he prepared to put the ICC in a position where it could be perceived as challenging the authority of the Supreme Court of India.”