BCCI Adopts Lodha Reforms Partially, Leaves Out Key Points

The BCCI adopted Lodha panel reforms partially, rejecting all major recommendations on good governance including age cap, tenure and cooling-off period at its Special General Meeting on Wednesday. Having got a shot in the arm from Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear the "practical difficulties" on August 18, BCCI did not implement the controversial reforms on age cap (70 years), cooling off (3 years) and tenure (9 years each at state and BCCI). Not accepting what was termed by Lodha Panel as principles of good governance is an indication that old guards Niranjan Shah and N Srinivasan manage to stay relevant despite disqualification.

BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary today said that they have unanimously adopted all but five reforms as per Supreme Court verdict on July 18, 2016.

The five reforms cover: 1. Matters pertaining to membership, one state one vote, retention of full members, Railways, Services etc. 2. Definition of powers of appointed executives. 3. Size and constitution of apex council. 4. Restriction and disqualification of office bearers and ministers and government officials, age, tenure and cooling off period. 5. Size of national selection committee.

Choudhary only explained why the disqualification of government employees and ministers was kept among their reservations.

"If we want Railways or Services to retain full membership (voting) rights, then they can only be represented by either a government employee or a minister," he said.

On the size of proposed Apex Council, Choudhary said that "Currently, it's proposed size is five members. It has only one vice-president and members are of the opinion that it is smaller in size considering the length and breadth of country."

Choudhary said that they are still in process of sorting out Conflict of Interest clause as there are a few objections from members.

The BCCI has also shortlisted a panel of names for role of Ombudsman.

BCCI CEO barred from meeting

Adhering strictly to the top court's diktat of letting in only office-bearers, the BCCI did not allow its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Johri to attend the meeting.

Along with Johri, the representatives Odisha and Punjab were debarred from the meeting as the representatives were not office-bearers.

As per the SC order, the ones eligible are president, vice president, secretary, joint/assistant Secretary and treasurer.

It was learnt that Johri was told by Amitabh Choudhary that he along with all other BCCI employees should leave the meeting premises as SC order of July 24 states that only office-bearers should be attending the meeting.

While it is not a rule but a convention, a team of BCCI employees are always available for secretarial help during these meetings but a wary BCCI went straight by the book.

"Johri is not an office bearer but a salaried employee of BCCI. While he attended all previous SGMs, we can't take a chance this time as we have to honour SC order in letter and spirit. All employees were told by acting secretary that they have to leave the room," a state unit representative, who did not wish to be named, told PTI.

It was learnt that Choudhary personally checked all the letters of authorization brought by representatives so that there is no violation of apex court's order.