CoA asks state associations to fall online

The Committee of Administrators appointed by the Supreme Court to run BCCI has begun to crack the whip. It has asked the various cricket associations to post relevant information with regard to office bearers, their ages and terms on respective websites for transparency.

In an email communication to the State/ member associations, the CoA sought to clarify the exact scope and extent of the disqualifications in terms of the SC order dated January 2. Doubts had remained whether the nine-years-inseat rule applied to the Executive Committee members as well.

“As per the advice received by the Committee of Administrators, this strict understanding/ interpretation has the effect of disqualifying all persons who fail to meet the norms recommended by the Lodha Committee and accepted by the Supreme Court from being office bearers, representatives, nominees, patrons, advisors and/ or members of any committee of council of a State/ member association...” the letter reads.

Listing out the disqualification criteria laid out by the Supreme Court, the letter states: “You are called upon to provide the names of your current office bearers and members of your governing body/ managing committee/ working committee. You are also called upon to obtain undertakings from your current office bearers and members of your governing body/ managing committee/ working committee to the effect that they are not disqualified in terms of the criteria laid down (by the SC) and forward copies of the same to the Committee of Administrators before 5 pm on March 1.”

As part of measures for good governance and transparency, the CoA has also asked the associations to make available on their websites: (a) Names of constituent members;

(b) Names of current office bearers and members of governing body/ managing committee/ working committee along with their age, date on which they assumed office and/ or became a member of your governing body/ managing committee/ working committee and the total number of years for which they have been in office; and

(c) Copy of Memorandum of Association, Rules and Regulations, Bye-Laws.

The state/ member associations have also been asked to file a copy of the resolution adopted undertaking to implement the recommendations of the Lodha Committee as accepted by the Supreme Court vide its judgement dated July 18 with an affidavit of the President of the state association undertaking to abide by the reforms.

This provides another twist to the Hyderabad Cricket Association, whose administrators are involved in legal battles in the High Court, to run the affairs of the troubled cricket body.

With the latest CoA bouncer, it remains to be seen who all will stay at the crease, or take fresh guard.