Supreme Court hits BCCI where it hurts by freezing its finances
CHENNAI: The Supreme Court’s order to seal a limit for financial dealings the BCCI can get into and stop payments to state units until they accept the Lodha commission recommendations in full puts the defiant board and its constituents in a never-before spot of bother. It’s a stinging reply to BCCI’s explanation that the unwillingness of state units is why reforms measures can’t be initiated.
It hits the board and the state associations used to annual grants ranging from 17-35 crores (in the last six years) hard. Media and other broadcast rights for IPL from 2018-27 are in the process of being awarded. Tenders have been floated and major international and national players have entered the fray. By fixing a ceiling to all contracts and appointing an auditor to approve in consultation with the Lodha panel dealings above that limit, the court has severely curbed the BCCI’s financial independence. Since this is the very basis of the world’s richest cricket board’s power, existence and everything else, it will be difficult to withstand this.
With the BCCI likely to call another special general meeting to discuss Friday’s order with members, the pressure is on president Anurag Thakur. He and board secretary Ajay Shirke have been asked to file compliance reports to the Lodha committee in two weeks and appear before the committee in person. They have maintained that reform measures in full can’t be undertaken because three-fourth of members required to vote in favour of changes in constitution are against the major points like one vote state per state and age and tenure caps for administrators. On the other hand, some states have said they are merely following their instruction that defiance is the best defence.
Given that Vidarbha and Tripura have officially announced they are going to implement the recommendations in full and one or two others are also contemplating falling in line, there could be second thoughts in the BCCI ranks. Despite reservations, some of the states think it’s imprudent to consistently defy a Supreme Court order. Even though a vast majority of state unit heads will become ineligible once the new constitution is in place, some of them who have taken charge in the last one or two years can continue. In a house of 25, this number is under 10 and this explains why the proposal to ‘fall in line’ didn’t get the requisite support of the three-fourth.
The order passed by the special three-member bench headed by CJI TS Thakur puts the states in an unprecedented fix anyway. Annual grants have increased majorly post IPL and associations plan their expenditures around these massive amounts. Supply cut off means they can’t sustain themselves beyond a point, which might force their members to accept the changes and put pressure on incumbents to implement them. The next few days will see a fresh round of hurried parleys. Who knows what emerges from those!
Fresh blows
BCCI can’t enter into contracts above a monetary ceiling to be fixed by Lodha panel. Panel will fix the limit and BCCI has to seek its approval on media and other rights deals above the limit.
BCCI restrained from disbursing funds to state associations until they pass resolutions to implement Lodha recommendations in full.
Lodha panel to appoint independent auditor to scrutinise all BCCI accounts and submit a report.
BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke asked to appear before panel and file compliance reports in two weeks. They also have to file affidavits in SC listing recommendations they have accepted and those they have not.
Next hearing on December 5.
Copy of today’s order to be sent to ICC to keep the world body aware of developments.