Key hearing in Lodha reforms implementation

› It is going to be a big day if the apex court approves the Lodha recommendations. BCCI EXPERT, On the hearing

› BCCI’s lawyers will place reservations over few things and court may approve with some modifications. BCCI EXPERT

MUMBAI: The Indian cricket fraternity will be following with keen interest Monday’s Supreme Court proceedings on the implementation of the Lodha Committee reforms in cricket administration.

It has been a long-drawn case with the BCCI officials and a majority of its member state associations taking a stubborn approach over the restructuring of their administrative structure.

Under instructions from the apex court, the Committee of Administrators (CoA), led by Vinod Rai, has submitted its draft of the new constitution to the Supreme Court, one that includes the acceptance of the Lodha panel reforms.

But it has met with opposition from BCCI’s acting president CK Khanna and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry, who have suggested that certain clauses under ‘Rules & Regulations’ be deleted from the new constitution.

STERN WARNING

In its order dated September 21, the court had asked the BCCI office-bearers to respond to the draft constitution, include the suggestions of the Lodha Committee in its entirety, co-operate or face serious consequences.

Khanna and Chaudhry have taken extracts from the apex court’s original order on July 18 on the aspect of protection given to state associations by the Constitution of India.

The apex court is expected to look into the office-bearers’ suggestions in Monday’s hearing.

Khanna and Chaudhry have suggested that all amendments proposed by the CoA of their own volition or otherwise, that seek to amend the constitution of the BCCI as contained in the Justice Lodha Committee report and as accepted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court with certain clarifications and modifications, be removed.

The state associations have also filed several review petitions, opposing the newlydrafted constitution for the BCCI stating that it could destroy the game itself.

The associations from Maharashtra (barring Vidarbha) and Gujarat want the apex court to reconsider the one-state onevote policy, which would cost them their voting rights.

In the Lodha panel’s recommendation, the three bodies each in Maharashtra and Gujarat will enjoy voting rights on a rotation basis, relegating associations like the Mumbai Cricket Association to an associate member of the board.