BCCI AGM: Dilution of Lodha reforms, appointment of CAC top agenda

File Pic

XtraTime Web Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold its first Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Sunday with enigmatic former captain Sourav Ganguly at the helm. The board members will be seeking to dilute some key reforms mandated by the Supreme Court, constitute cricket committees like the CAC and appoint the Board’s representative at the ICC. The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (COA) was in control of the cricket body for 33 months before the new office-bearers, led by Ganguly, took charge last month.

Ganguly’s current nine-month stint will get an extension if the BCCI dilutes the specific reform on tenure-cap as mandated by the SC-appointed Lodha Committee.

In the agenda released for the AGM, the BCCI has proposed significant changes to the existing constitution. As per the current constitution, which is approved by the Supreme Court, an office-bearer who has served two three-year terms, either at the BCCI or at the state association, goes into a compulsory three-year cooling-off period.

The current dispensation wants that period to kick in only after the individual has finished two terms (six years), at the board and state association separately. If passed with a three-fourth majority, it will effectively extend the tenure of Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah respectively.

However, going forward, it has been proposed that a three-fourth majority at the AGM should be able to ratify any amendment in the constitution as it is not “practical” to take the Supreme Court’s approval, which is required in the existing constitution.

The AGM will also decide on who will represent BCCI in ICC meetings. It is learnt that role might go to former board supremo N Srinivasan. The Tamil Nadu strongman was forced to step aside after the game was shaken by the 2013 spot-fixing scandal.

In terms of cricketing decisions, various committees, including the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), will be appointed at the AGM. Former cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman can make a comeback to Cricket Advisory Committee.

A new Ombudsman and Ethics Officer will also be appointed. The two roles are being performed by (retired) Justice D K Jain, whose term ends in February.

The contentious issue of conflict of interest is also expected to be discussed at the AGM. Ganguly has already said it is one of the most serious issues facing Indian cricket.