 "Ministers barred from BCCI")
The far-reaching reforms in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recommended by the Lodha Committee on Monday got the stamp of approval from the Supreme Court. The order will keep former czars like Sharad Pawar and N Srinivasan out because of the age-cap of 70 on those occupying posts in the cash-rich body as also ministers and civil servants.
When implemented, the Justice R M Lodha Committee recommendations could also put an end to the tenure of BCCI President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke from holding top posts in their state associations — Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, respectively.
The key recommendations, which found strong favour from a Bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, also included nomination of a member of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and Accountant General in BCCI and state cricket boards, respectively, for financial transparency.
The Bench approved the recommendation favouring one state-one vote and one member-one post besides asking the Parliament and the Law Commission to mull over suggestions to bring BCCI under the purview of Right to Information Act and legalise betting in cricket.
“We accept the report submitted by the Committee and the recommendations made therein with such modifications and clarifications...”, the verdict, penned by Justice Thakur, along with Justice F M I Kalifulla said while fixing a six-month deadline for the implementation of the recommendations.
The order dealt with the facts that states like Gujarat and Maharashtra have three cricket associations each which are full-fledged members of BCCI and said “the only reasonable and rational answer to the problem within the broad principle of One State-One Vote would be to allow the full membership of BCCI to rotate among the three clubs on an annual basis.”
The court then dealt with the age limit of 70 years fixed by the panel for the cricket administrators and said, “There is no denying the fact that cricketers who play competitive cricket generally fall in the age group of 18 to 35 years. This implies that even after retirement from active cricket anyone who has the potential to contribute to the game can do so for over three decades till he attains the age of 70 years.”
Regarding barring ministers and bureaucrats from entering the apex cricket body, the court rejected the contention that the posts are honorary in nature and the BCCI is beneficiary of their administrative skills.
The vehement opposition of the recommendation that BCCI would be funding players’ association was also not accepted by the apex court. It said the players who had played the game are “better equipped to understand its nuances, its challenges and concerns relevant to its development and promotion cannot be left out from the management” and favoured the recommendation that two positions in the apex council be filled up by two players — one male and one female, who would be recommended by the players’ association.
The key recommendations of bringing BCCI under RTI and legalising betting in the sport was not approved by the apex court which left these issues to be addressed by Parliament and the Law Commission. Legalising betting involves framing of a law which is a matter that may be examined by the Law Commission and the government for such action as it may consider necessary in the facts and circumstances of the case, it said.
The BCCI, however, had its way in matter pertaining to commercials free broadcast of cricket matches as the apex court refused to express any opinion and left the matter to the cricket body to examine from all angles and take a considered decision. The Lodha panel had said that viewers have a right to watch live matches without any advertisements.
The verdict also dealt with the recommendation that the IPL governing council be reconstituted so that the IPL franchisee have their voice in it and asked the Lodha panel to re-consider it.
STRAIGHT DRIVE
The Lodha panel had recommended structural reforms in BCCI. The story so far
Jan 4: Justice R M Lodha panel submits its report to SC on reforms in BCCI
Feb 4: SC asks BCCI to “fall in line” with Lodha panel recommendations
Feb 24: SC agrees to hear BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s plea against the Committee's order suspending IPL franchisee Chennai Super Kings for 2 years
Mar 3: SC questions BCCI over lack of transparency in funds to states
Apr 5: SC slams BCCI for not checking how hefty sums are being spent
Apr 8: SC criticises BCCI for maintaining that judicial interference would compromise its autonomy
Apr 13: Asks govt whether it can take over cricketing activities by enacting law
Jul 18: SC accepts recommendations by the panel
Source: PTI
When implemented, the Justice R M Lodha Committee recommendations could also put an end to the tenure of BCCI President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke from holding top posts in their state associations — Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, respectively.
The key recommendations, which found strong favour from a Bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, also included nomination of a member of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and Accountant General in BCCI and state cricket boards, respectively, for financial transparency.
The Bench approved the recommendation favouring one state-one vote and one member-one post besides asking the Parliament and the Law Commission to mull over suggestions to bring BCCI under the purview of Right to Information Act and legalise betting in cricket.
“We accept the report submitted by the Committee and the recommendations made therein with such modifications and clarifications...”, the verdict, penned by Justice Thakur, along with Justice F M I Kalifulla said while fixing a six-month deadline for the implementation of the recommendations.
The order dealt with the facts that states like Gujarat and Maharashtra have three cricket associations each which are full-fledged members of BCCI and said “the only reasonable and rational answer to the problem within the broad principle of One State-One Vote would be to allow the full membership of BCCI to rotate among the three clubs on an annual basis.”
The court then dealt with the age limit of 70 years fixed by the panel for the cricket administrators and said, “There is no denying the fact that cricketers who play competitive cricket generally fall in the age group of 18 to 35 years. This implies that even after retirement from active cricket anyone who has the potential to contribute to the game can do so for over three decades till he attains the age of 70 years.”
Regarding barring ministers and bureaucrats from entering the apex cricket body, the court rejected the contention that the posts are honorary in nature and the BCCI is beneficiary of their administrative skills.
The vehement opposition of the recommendation that BCCI would be funding players’ association was also not accepted by the apex court. It said the players who had played the game are “better equipped to understand its nuances, its challenges and concerns relevant to its development and promotion cannot be left out from the management” and favoured the recommendation that two positions in the apex council be filled up by two players — one male and one female, who would be recommended by the players’ association.
The key recommendations of bringing BCCI under RTI and legalising betting in the sport was not approved by the apex court which left these issues to be addressed by Parliament and the Law Commission. Legalising betting involves framing of a law which is a matter that may be examined by the Law Commission and the government for such action as it may consider necessary in the facts and circumstances of the case, it said.
The BCCI, however, had its way in matter pertaining to commercials free broadcast of cricket matches as the apex court refused to express any opinion and left the matter to the cricket body to examine from all angles and take a considered decision. The Lodha panel had said that viewers have a right to watch live matches without any advertisements.
The verdict also dealt with the recommendation that the IPL governing council be reconstituted so that the IPL franchisee have their voice in it and asked the Lodha panel to re-consider it.
STRAIGHT DRIVE
The Lodha panel had recommended structural reforms in BCCI. The story so far
Jan 4: Justice R M Lodha panel submits its report to SC on reforms in BCCI
Feb 4: SC asks BCCI to “fall in line” with Lodha panel recommendations
Feb 24: SC agrees to hear BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s plea against the Committee's order suspending IPL franchisee Chennai Super Kings for 2 years
Mar 3: SC questions BCCI over lack of transparency in funds to states
Apr 5: SC slams BCCI for not checking how hefty sums are being spent
Apr 8: SC criticises BCCI for maintaining that judicial interference would compromise its autonomy
Apr 13: Asks govt whether it can take over cricketing activities by enacting law
Jul 18: SC accepts recommendations by the panel
Source: PTI