The union minister, who had also headed the ICC, said the reputation of the game and the board has been affected by the current scandals and favoured "ruthless and effective action" against anybody found guilty.
In a veiled attack on Srinivasan, he said that if he had remained at the helm, he would not have allowed "this nonsense" to happen.
Endorsing the suggestion of his successor Shashank Manohar for a government probe into all the IPL matches played this season, Pawar said, "If the BCCI gives in writing to the Home Minister and request to investigate all the matches, the government can then investigate all the matches. They can interrogate anybody. They have legal sanction. That is why Mr Manohar's suggestion is useful and effective, and the board should accept it."
He, however, parried a question whether Srinivasan should resign in the aftermath of the raging controversy.
"I don't want to say someone should go or someone should not go because I am nobody. I have no authority to ask for resignation. Nor do I have the authority to comment on the opinions expressed by others. I would not have allowed this to happen," he said.
On the issue of conflict of interest involving Srinivasan whose India Cements bought Chennai Super Kings when he was a member of the cricket board, Pawar said the decision to allow him own the team was a "conscious decision" of the BCCI after obtaining legal advice.