Vidarbha Cricket Association embraces Lodha Committee recommendations

The Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) has become the first full member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to embrace the recommendations put down by the Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha Committee.A special General Meeting was held on Friday at Nagpur where 727 members out of 730 voted for the change.

“The SGM was was held at Bilimoria Hall, VCA Complex to discuss , consider and approve the proposed new constitution of VCA as per the recommendations of Lodha Committee appointed by Supreme Court. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Prakash Dixit, President VCA who took up the only agenda of the meeting,” said a release from the VCA.

The release further stated: “As per the Article 5 of the amended constitution, the newly elected Executive Committee will nominate a women cricketer, along with one former player and a nominee of the State Accountant General. The nominees of player association (male and female) shall have the right to participate in all discussions related to cricket and its administration, while the nominee of the State Accountant General will have the right to participate in all the financial matters related to the association. Further the General Body shall nominate any member to represent the association at all the meetings of the BCCI.”

The new MOA and the Rules and Regulations of the association states that the Annual General Meeting from now on will be held on the first Saturday or Sunday of December instead of August.

“The criteria for an office bearer or a member of the Managing committee / Executive committee or to the selection Committee will be as per the recommendations of the Lodha Committee. Those who have attained the age of 70 years or declared insolvent or of unsound mind or holds any post in any other sports or athletic association or federation and also those who have been in office for a cumulative period of 9 years will be ineligible to hold any post in the association. Further a Minister or a government servant will be ineligible to hold any post in the Association,” the release added.

It also revealed that the members had already approved the constitution before the beginning of the voting process.

“After detailed discussions on the issue it was unanimously decided that the recommendations now having been approved by the Supreme Court, the same are binding on (the association) and whether right or wrong, whether the VCA agrees or disagrees, it has to respect the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court and implement the recommendations. Further the house authorised the Executive Committee to do all such acts which are necessary to fulfill the purpose and intent of the Lodha Committee recommendations and to give effect to the order of Supreme Court dated.18.07.2016 on the subject matter.”

The VCA will now be hold it’s elections on November 15, 2016 as per the time-line given by the Lodha Committee.