BCCI members ready to spend from pocket for attending SGM
CHENNAI: Defying the CoA's order is not the only highlight of the special general meeting the BCCI plans to hold on June 22. If the meeting does take place, it will be the first such gathering of the board where at least some members will be travelling and staying at their own cost.
That's because the CoA directive to stop the meeting issued last week instructed BCCI employees and service providers to not incur "any expenses towards the said SGM by way of bookings etc". This means that unlike other general body meetings, BCCI members will not receive to-and-fro business class airfare. Neither will they be reimbursed for accommodation in a five-star hotel.
Choudhary
"It means additional expense from my own pocket. But if the meeting takes place and I go to New Delhi, this is what I have to do since the CoA's order mentions state association's funds can't be used to attend this," president of a state association told Express. By average estimates, business class travel and hotel for one night will come to around `70,000 per head.
The secretary of another state unit said he would be doing the same. "Do we have another option? If we are to attend the meeting, this is what we have to do. And since this is an important one, I will go there on my own." Most members are convinced the CoA doesn't have the right to stop them from holding such meetings.
The CoA, meanwhile, issued a statement on Tuesday, terming the SGM as nothing but an attempt to bypass its orders. "Characterising the general body as 'supreme' is nothing but an attempt to bypass the orders of the Supreme Court in terms of which the office-bearers of BCCI are required to act under the supervision and control of the CoA," wrote the CoA in a communication to acting BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary.
The CoA letter adds that the BCCI could have approached it for permission. "Nothing in the existing rules of regulations of BCCI prevented you from forwarding any requisitions that you may have received to the CoA and seeking approval. Till today, the CoA has not seen a single requisition, let alone the required number of requisitions," it stated.