BCCI adopts Lodha reforms partially, leaves out key points

NEW DELHI: The BCCI on Wednesday adopted Lodha panel reforms partially, rejecting all major recommendations on good governance including age cap, tenure and cooling-off period at its Special General Meeting here on Wednesday.

Having got a shot in the arm from Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear the “practical difficulties” on August 18, BCCI did not implement the controversial reforms on age cap (70 years), cooling off (3 years) and tenure (9 years each at state and BCCI). Not accepting what was termed by Lodha Panel as principles of good governance is an indication that old guards Niranjan Shah and N Srinivasan manage to stay relevant despite disqualification.

BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary on Wednesday said that they have unanimously adopted all but five reforms as per Supreme Court verdict on July 18, 2016.

The five reforms cover: 1. Matters pertaining to membership, one state one vote, retention of full members, Railways, Services etc. 2. Definition of powers of appointed executives. 3. Size and constitution of apex council. 4. Restriction and disqualification of office bearers and ministers and government officials, age, tenure and cooling off period. 5. Size of national selection committee.

Choudhary only explained why the disqualification of government employees and ministers was kept among their reservations.