IPL media rights bid process faces delay
MUMBAI: The BCCI faces the impossible task of conducting the Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights bid submission as per the original schedule of October 25.
According to the Supreme Court order on Friday, the BCCI will need the approval of the Lodha Committee, which will then appoint an auditor to scrutinise the bidding process.
There isn’t time for all this. Board secretary Ajay Shirke is known to have sought clarifications from the Lodha panel on it, and has also enquired as to whether they should postpone the opening of the IPL tender. A BCCI OFFICIAL, on the IPL tender process
It is unlikely that the SC-appointed committee will give permission unless the Board president and secretary file a statement on affidavit indicating compliance made by BCCI of those of the recommendations which have been complied with, the manner of compliance and the steps adopted for securing compliance with the remaining recommendations.
Also, the order given on October 21 states that they (president and
secretary) shall appear before the committee to explain the manner of compliance. It is learnt, on Saturday Shirke left for London. The deadline for the BCCI’s top two officials is within two weeks from the date of the order. “The order is very clear, the consent of the Lodha Committee will be required for any tender process. If the BCCI goes ahead without consent, it will clearly be a contempt of court,” said a BCCI expert.
“For every tender process the Lodha panel-appointed auditor will check whether all norms have been met, and whether the process was fair or not,” the expert observed.
In its order, the Supreme Court put up stringent norms for all financial transactions.
It’s clear that the BCCI and its state associations are being forced into a corner to build pressure to carry out all the reforms. As far as financial control is concerned, the SC has in an indirect manner already appointed an auditor. Earlier, the BCCI secretary approved the payments and the treasurer made them. Now, the secretary will have to seek the approval of the committee.
For every tender process the Lodha panel-appointed auditor will check whether all norms have been met, and whether the process was fair or not