BCCI opposes Lodha Panel recommendations in SC

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday opposed the recommendation by the Justice R.M. Lodha Committee before the Supreme Court and asked for their permission to approach the panel once again.

The next hearing in this regard has been slated to be held on March 18.

The board described the report as ‘impractical’ and pointed out difficulties in its implementation.

The BCCI has opposed the recommendation of ‘one state, one vote,’ saying that there are states where cricket is not popular and the allotment of voting rights will not serve any purpose.

The body also highlighted that this formula was used in the FIFA which later led to votes-buying scandal.

The BCCI also opposed the induction of CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) representatives within the board. It said that the ICC may take it as the government’s interference and will likely disfranchise the board for violating its rules.

They, however, suggested that CAG nominee in the BCCI should not have voting rights and he should be in just advisory role.

Meanwhile, the apex court had asked for the chart of funds allotted to state bodies by the BCCI in last five years and if there was developmental plan for spending the money.

The court, however, hinted that there were very few issues that could be send back to the Lodha Committee to rethink over.

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.(ANI)