CHENNAI: The committee of administrators (COA) appointed by Supreme Court to run BCCI completed a week on Monday. Nominating one of the four to attend an ICC meeting in Dubai, excluding BCCI office-bearers from the list before being told by the court to include them and starting the process of preparing a status report, it has been an eventful orientation period for the COA headed by former CAG Vinod Rai.
In a fresh move on Monday, the COA decided to shut the New Delhi office of former BCCI president Anurag Thakur. It was set up in 2015 after Thakur became BCCI secretary. There were five in the staff, who have been asked to leave. Deposed board secretary Ajay Shirke's assistant in Pune too has vacated his post, since his employer no longer holds office. The BCCI CEO Rahul Johri is handling the process of clearing dues.
“We decided to close the offices of the former BCCI president and secretary. Since they don't hold these positions anymore, what's the point in running these establishments,” COA member Diana Edulji told Express.
“Those working in these offices will be released. The BCCI CEO has been asked to issue necessary notices and settle dues.” It was learnt that according to contracts, the staff are due three months of salary.
About the status report to be submitted to the Supreme Court on the progress the BCCI and state units are making in implementing court orders, Edulji said work has started.
“It's early days still. We've had discussions among ourselves about various things. The report will be submitted within the four-week period. All deadlines will be met.”
One of the important matters the COA has dealt with so far is the ICC meeting. COA member Vikram Limaye didn't vote for the proposal to remodel the revenue sharing system in Dubai. He even questioned the “scientific basis” of the distribution system at the meeting.
If the COA doesn't conduct elections in two months, one of the four may have to attend the next meeting in April, when the matter comes up for ratification.
Edulji didn't say much about this. “Vikram is the most accomplished among us to deal with this. He was received well in the ICC, despite this being his first meeting. He has given us some feedback, more is expected. The COA will form an opinion on this after getting details from him.” Media manager quits
In another development, the Indian team's media manager Nishant Arora tendered his resignation. He too was appointed after Thakur became BCCI secretary. Sources, however, said this shouldn't be linked with the COA's decision to shut the BCCI's Delhi office.
“He was a victim, in a fight between two elephants,” was how they described this. Guarav Saxena was appointed media manager in place of Arora.