CHENNAI: Two days ago, BCCI treasurer Anirudh Choudhry had written to the court-appointed administrators (CoA), seeking clarification on the role of the finance committee. This committee cancelled a meeting on September 14, citing lack of clarity on what it can do and what it can't.
"There exists some confusion with regard to the mandate of the Finance Committee in the present scheme of things and the CoA is requested to kindly enlighten the Finance Committee on this matter," Choudhry's letter had said. There were complaints in the corridors of the BCCI that the CoA is interfering in the functioning of the committee, which takes decisions on payments and salaries, other than framing policy.
On Saturday, the CoA wrote back, saying that there is no finance committee in the Constitution of the BCCI they have been asked to prepare. A draft of this Constitution based on the Lodha panel recommendations has already been submitted to the court. The next hearing is on September 19. Till this happens, the finance committee has to function under the guidance of the administrators.
"Please also note that the Finance Committee (as also various other committees) does not find mention in the list of committees included in the draft BCCI Constitution that is in line with the recommendations of the Hon’ble Justice Lodha Committee (as accepted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court). Accordingly, the above position will continue only until the new BCCI Constitution as per the reforms mandated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court is adopted," the CoA mail said.
The CoA has already said that all financial matters of the BCCI will be controlled by the CFO. Everybody undertaking in any such activity will report to him and CFO will be reporting to the CEO of the board. It has also directed that proceedings of the committee meetings would have to be forwarded to them, through the CEO.
If accepted by the Supreme Court — the CoA being a body formed by the apex court, its views are likely to be entertained — doing away with the committees will be a major shake-up in the BCCI system. The board forms over 20 sub-committees at every annual general meeting, with one member from each of the five zones and one BCCI office-bearer. From finance, marketing, technical, grounds & pitches to museum and data processing, these are honorary committees.
The committees are supposed to meet from time to time, but other than those handling finances, marketing or cricket operations, several of the committees meet only at irregular intervals. For example, there has been no meeting of the museum committee in the past few years, although such committees have continued to exist. Disbanding many of these will not affect the running of the board.