The Board of Control for Cricket in India has been provided a deadline of six months to implement all the major recommendations of the Lodha Committee by the supreme court of India, which was set up by the apex court to bring structural reforms in the BCCI. The apex court set up the Lodha committee in January 2014, following allegations of betting and spot-fixing surfaced in the Indian Premier League. The three-member panel led by former chief justice of India RM Lodha had suggested a number of administrative changes in the BCCI.
The BCCI challenged those recommendations which would mean only one cricketing body representing a state would have voting right in the BCCI. The court on Monday discarded all these arguments and asked the board to implement these recommendations within six months. It means from now on, only one association from each state will have voting right. Though the court also mentioned that states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, which have multiple affiliated associations, can use this voting right on a rotational basis. There will also be no vote for institutional teams like Railways, Services and Universities. Besides, CCI and National Cricket Club too will lose their voting right at the BCCI AGM. Also the court mentioned that no central or state minister and anyone one above the age of 70 can be a part of BCCI’s administrative set-up.
The court has left it on the Parliament to decide whether BCCI should come under RTI or not. Court has also left it to the Parliament to decide whether betting can be legalised in the country. The Lodha panel suggested in favour of it. Supreme Court has accepted the Lodha panel’s recommendation that a member of CAG will be part of the BCCI governing council. Although, the court felt more time is needed to decide on the Lodha panel recommendations on the broadcasting related issues.
Following this verdict the Chief Justice said, “We hope this verdict will bring in some reforms and BCCI must accept change, We will show greatest respect in Implementing the judgment,” chief justice said. Justice Lodha reacted on this court order saying that, “It’s a great day for Indian cricket. I am sure that BCCI will implement the recommendations at the earliest.”