COA writes to state associations saying funds not a problem

KOLKATA: Close on the heels of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) secretary Iqbal Shah mulling a pull-out from the Ranji Trophy due to lack of money, the Committee of Administrators (COA) has written to states stating it has “adequate mechanisms” in place to enable direct payments to third parties for cricket operations.

“The COA was informed that there were various payments that were required to be made to third party vendors from time to time relating to cricket operations wherein the said vendors would supply goods or services for the benefit of state units but would raise invoices on the BCCI.

“The COA was also informed that there were various instances of specific payments where after taking the approval of the COA, BCCI had made payment of the same and debited the corresponding amounts to the relevant suspense accounts of the respective State Associations.

“After discussion, the COA decided that the regular approval process as specified in the directions dated 6th April 2017 may be followed for payments which met the following parameters,” read the mail, sent to all associations late Sunday night.

Under the sub-heading “Payments for Cricket Operations” in point “B”, the fifth point read: “Accordingly, adequate mechanisms have been put in place by the Committee of Administrators to enable payments for cricket operations directly to third parties on behalf of the state units. “The said interim mechanism can be followed for making payments due to players and any urgent statutory or other payments, which can be made by the BCCI directly on behalf of the State Associations.”