BCCI officials’ powers curbed

NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket Board’s Committee of Administrators (CoA) clipped the wings of office-bearers further on Thursday. In a fresh set of directives, the Vinod Rai-headed committee barred office-bearers from using BCCI money to meet legal expenses. It also said officials won’t be able to travel without the approval of CoA.

“Henceforth, BCCI shall not bear the expenses of any legal representation/advice that any office-bearer may seek from external legal advisers/counsel in connection with Civil Appeal N0. 4235 of 2014 and connected matters before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” said the directives. It refers to the petition filed by the Cricket Association of Bihar based on which the Apex court issued orders for reforming the cricket body.

HEFTY COURT FEES

There has been criticism the Board has leaked money on both parties over the issue of implementing the Lodha panel recommendations. BCCI officials oppose the implementation of key recommendations and have been at loggerheads with the CoA in the Supreme Court.

The CoA had earlier this month sought to remove the interim office-bearers – president CK Khanna, secretary Amitabh Choudhary and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary. However, they have been adamant their tenures can be ended only at the AGM and since the meeting has not been held, the trio has continued.

The directives also restrict travel. “The office-bearers and/ or their respective Executive Assistants shall not undertake any travel, including but not limited to, hotel accommodation at BCCI expense without the prior approval of Committee of Administrators.”

PAYMENT ROW

While the CoA and office-bearers have also had differences over the issue of payments, the directives clarify that the final authority on payments will be the CoA, including the money paid out to players as per their contract.

The directives add that in case a payment isn’t approved by the acting secretary and CEO within three days, the matter will go to the CoA for a final decision.