SC questions BCCI’s objection to Lodha Committee recommendations

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday questioned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its objection to Justice Lodha Committee’s recommendation prohibiting ministers and government servants from holding any post in the BCCI.

The SC as quoted by DNA asked the board, “Why are you so keen to have ministers in BCCI?”

The court also reprimanded the BCCI for opposing voting rights for the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The body told the SC that it wants the CAG only to play an advisory role. “You want free hand to deal with crores of rupees,” the SC observed according to ANI.

The BCCI in its defence said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) may object the appointment of the CAG’s nominee as the government representative as per the recommended structure, since that may be considered as ‘government interference’. It also said that they fear the ICC may act against it and ‘disenfranchise BCCI’.

Adding more weight to its argument, BCCI said that the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration (TNSR) Act, under which it was registered, does not permit a non member to be nominated in the managing committee of the body.

The SC also asked the BCCI to present chart of funds allotted to state bodies by the board during the last five years. SC said, “You (BCCI) should have a development plan,and tell states on what facilities the funds should be spent”.

The Supreme Court has set 18^th March as the date for the next hearing in the case.

Earlier, the Supreme Court sent a stern message to BCCI asking it to “fall in line” with the recommendations of Justice Lodha Committee.

The court had said the recommendations are “straight, rational and understandable” and “deserve respect” and “there is no reason to disagree with the committee” which has the most “illuminated and respected members of the legal community”.