BCCI to challenge Lodha panel’s recommendations in SC

Mumbai : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court, pointing out difficulties in implementation of the Justice R.M. Lodha committee’s recommendations.

The decision in this regard was taken at a Special General Meeting ( SGM) held at the BCCI’s headquarter here on Friday.

BCCI honorary secretary Anurag Thakur will challenge the recommendations on behalf of the cricket board.

“The members authorized the Hony. Secretary BCCI to file an affidavit in the Hon’ble Supreme Court on behalf of the BCCI pointing out the anomalies and difficulties encountered in implementation of Hon’ble Justice Lodha Committee’s recommendations,” the BCCI said in a media advisory today.

Besides, there were other major decisions taken in the meeting, including granting full member status to Chhattisgarh. This will allow them to play Ranji Trophy tournament from next season.

“The members approved the recommendation of the affiliation committee of BCCI to grant full member status to Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh. They will be a part of the Central Zone for all the BCCI tournaments,” the BCCI said.

The Working Committee also decided to authorize BCCI president Shashank Manohar and Thakur to appoint an agency to search for candidates for the posts of CEO and CFO for the cricket board.

The board members also authorized the duo to discuss governance and financial restructuring of the ICC subject to such restructuring being incorporated in the constitution of the ICC for permanency.

“Further the members also authorised the President and Hony. Secretary to rework the FTPs for the period 2016 to 2023 and ensure equitable distribution of the matches,” the statement added.

Indian Premier League chairman and BCCI senior official Rajeev Shukla had earlier said that the board would put forward any concerns and objections about the report before the Supreme Court on March 3.

Earlier this month, the apex court sought a reply from the cricket body on the implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations and gave four weeks time to file its response.

The Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee had earlier in their report recommended the legalisation of betting in Indian cricket.

The Lodha Committee also suggested the appointment of three authorities with distinct roles namely ombudsman, ethics officer and electoral officer.

The other recommendations include a steering committee headed by former home secretary G.K. Pillai with Mohinder Amarnath, Diana Eduljee and Anil Kumble as the members.

The Lodha Committee was appointed by the apex court last year to make recommendations to the BCCI in order to prevent frauds and conflict of interest in cricket administration. (ANI)