5 glaring charges in the Mudgal report

Justice Mudgal, a retired Delhi High Court-appointed observer has released a 27 page report citing shortcomings with the DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association) “I learnt the complexities of how a Test match is organised but also gauged some very good people in the DDCA who were dedicated to the game,” he said. But that was mostly the extent to which he had anything positive to add about the DDCA."Justice Mudgal has submitted his report today. Before World T20, they will host a T20 International against Sri Lanka and we have faith in the DDCA that they will do a good job in organising the matches," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said.Here are five takeaways from the Mudgal report:

#1 No action taken

Justice Mudgal was disappointed with no action being taken

"No tangible action appears to have been taken by the management and accounts wing on issues raised, which is a matter of concern. Unless corrective action is taken, these shortcomings will continue," Justice Mudgal stated in his report.

He had sevaral ideas to take action upon. These included invitation of open tenders in time, preferable giving 3 weeks’ time. Along with maintenance of proper records relating to work, contracts and all sanctions having financial implications. He also rallied for the accounts wings to be strengthened. He stressed on cutting do­wn the number of complimentary passes and tickets.

The report was also supervised by I P Singh, former Deputy CAG of India.

#2 Records misplaced or not kept at all

The DDCA has come under scrutiny

"There are no minutes of the meetings of the Committee awarding work. Absence of records hamper transparency," the report stated.

Mudgal mentioned that there was a lack of transparency in the tendering system as well as record keeping. “For previous matches, no records were available to indicate how quotations were invited, how the vendors or the previous matches, no records were available to indicate how quotations were invited, how the vendors to whom work was allotted were selected, how the competitiveness of the rates was ascertained,” he wrote.

In his report he states finding deficiencies in tendering system, record keeping, delay in payment of bills, allotment of corporate boxes and naming of pavilions and stands, finance, defunct sub -committees, ticketing, broadcasting, media and permissions.

“The records relating to contracts/work orders for the earlier matches are not available.” he said in the report. The report further said there was “no transparency” while assigning of duties by DDCA during the match at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

#3 5.56 crore payments pending

BCCI has also come under fire

The report also shone light on the fact that bills worth over Rs 1.77 crores were pending since 2012-13, and bills worth over Rs 3.79 crores for the financial year 2014-15 were also still lying uncleared. “This results in a higher number of vendors not bidding and others quoting higher rates to cover the risk of huge delays in getting payments.” Justice Mudgal stated in his report.

"Finance/Accounts Wing - is also involved in preparation of budgets, finalisation of annual accounts, giving advise on financial matters. Internal audit (of DDCA) in its last report has pointed out shortcomings/financial irregularities," the report said.

#4 Sub-committes non functional

Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman

Justice Mugdal stated in his report "Sub-committees formed after much deliberation by the DDCA officials were mostly found to be non-functional,”

One such committee which was formed by the BCCI was an advisory committee including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. But it quickly went defunct.

One source said “Both Tendulkar and Laxman are associated to IPL franchises such as Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad. It will be wrong to exist with a committee that has pre-existent affiliation with competitors. As we are on the verge of making a serious crack-down on cricketers with private contracts being a part of the BCCI, it is unjust to exclude the advisory committee. Even Sourav is busy with his CAB committments.”

#5 Officials seek anonymity

The BCCI president’s name was misused

It transpired that a senior official attempted to sweep matters under the rug. Justice Mudgal mentioned in his report hat, “A very senior official wanted most things to be done on oral instructions and fought shy of appending his signature anywhere. There is also a clamour for ascending the dais for photo opportunity during the felicitation ceremony and one senior official tried to misuse the name of the BCCI president by stating that he had been asked by him to attend the ceremony.”

The truth was that “the BCCI president had categorically asked him not to do so”.

"It was also found that the initial bills submitted for the said duties were on the higher side. Upon a query raised by the auditor enquiring the basis of fixation of remuneration of the said duties, the bills were subsequently brought down considerable by DDCA office bearers," the report said.