23 illustrations of ‘conflict’ in new rule book
NEW DELHI: If the Supreme Court approves the new Memorandum of Association proposed by the Committee of Administrators, then several top BCCI functionaries who continue to hog the spotlight as ‘acting’ officials will have to beat a hasty retreat. A decision is expected on September 19.
A copy of the MoA available with Hindustan Times suggests strict clauses on the age and tenure of officials in future. Massive stress is on conflict of interest, a disease that has afflicted the BCCI from time immemorial.
By citing close to two dozen illustrations covering officials, player-turned-administrators, wives, partners, associates and even an umpire, the MoA has aimed to cover all possibilities of conflict of interest.
It has been classified under ‘direct or indirect interest’, ‘roles compromised,’ ‘commercial conflicts’, ‘prior relationship’ and ‘position of influence’. All officebearers, members of the Apex Council, the IPL Governing Council and the committees will come under the ambit of this chapter on transparency.
It may be recalled that N Srinivasan, once world cricket’s strongest man, was asked to step aside by the Apex court due to conflict as owner of IPL team Chennai Super Kings and BCCI boss. CSK were banned for two seasons because Srinivasan’s son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, a team owner, was charged with betting.
CLARITY ON KEY ISSUES
The MoA is clear on age, tenure, membership and voting patterns. It has suggested that 30 states, including from North-east and Bihar, will have full membership and the right to vote in BCCI polls.
“In states with multiple existing members (Maharashtra, Gujarat and Bengal), the BCCI shall recognise one of them to represent the state, while the remaining shall become Associate members,” says the MoA. This effectively ends the voting rights of legacy units like Cricket Club of India and National Cricket Club.
Associate members, under which institutional bodies like Railways and Services will come, won’t have voting rights. This curbs the influence of ministers and government servants.
While suggesting the introduction of the all-powerful Apex Council, the MoA is clear on a maximum of nine-year tenure with a three-year cooling off, irrespective of an official holding a post in the BCCI or state. The constitution will have no place for someone above 70 years and of “unsound mind”.
The Apex Council will have nine councillors, of whom five will be elected office-bearers. The others will be one from full member, two from the players’ association and one from the CAG’s office, a serving senior officer.
Almost the entire MoA is on the lines suggested by the Lodha panel. Even after the court made it binding on BCCI to implement them in July 2016, the Board has blocked them. A new course can be expected now.