BCCI worry over Lodha committee suggestions

The Board of Control for India (BCCI) is worried by the recommended vast reforms to its structural body by the Honourable Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha Committee. The committee has advised BCCI’s affiliated state units to convene a meeting of its managing committee before the end of this month to discuss its implications.

The apex court had asked for this to be done when it had trusted the three-member panel to investigate the IPL Corruption Scandal of 2013, and recommend changes to the BCCI’s governance structure in July last year.

The secretary of BCCI, Anurag Thakur, has written in his letter to BCCI's affiliated units. "You are aware that the Justice Lodha Committee appointed by the Honourable Supreme Court has submitted its report and we have received a copy of the same."

Thakur, who is a Member of Parliament, continued in his letter. "It is advised that you convene a meeting of your Managing Committee/Board before the 31st of January, 2016 and discuss the implications of the recommendations made by the Justice Lodha Committee. As some of the recommendations have far reaching consequences, it may be advisable to seek an expert opinion as to how the same would affect your Association."

Heat on MCA boss Sharad Pawar

The BCCI has published Thakur's letter with a link to the Lodha Committee's recommendations on its official website. Among all the recommendations there are one vote/one state and term and age restrictions for office bearers.

As per the Lodha panel recommendations the age limit for office bearers of BCCI and its affiliated units is kept below 70 but Mumbai Cricket Association is currently headed by Sharad Pawar, who is over 70 years of age, which became major talking point after the Lodha committee published its recommendations.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is one of the units which will be severely impacted as it's one of three units from the state of Maharashtra affiliated to the BCCI. The board has already called a meeting of its managing committee on January 13.

Apart from Mumbai Cricket Association, Maharashtra Cricket Association, Vidarbha Cricket Association and Cricket Club of India are the other units which are affiliated to BCCI from Maharashtra.

Similarly, there are three units in Gujarat with Gujarat CA, Baroda CA and Saurashtra CA.