Dilution of Lodha reforms, appointment of CAC to dominate Ganguly-led BCCI AGM

BCCI will on Sunday hold its first Annual General Meeting with enigmatic former captain Sourav Ganguly at helm, seeking to dilute some key reforms mandated by Supreme Court, constitute cricket committees like CAC and appoint Board's representative at ICC. Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (COA) was in control of cricket body for 33 months before new office-bearers, led by Ganguly, took charge last month.  Ganguly's current nine-month stint will get an extension if BCCI dilutes specific reform on tenure-cap as mandated by SC-appointed Lodha Committee.

In nda released for AGM, BCCI has proposed significant changes to existing constitution. As per current constitution, which is approved by Supreme Court, an office-bearer who has served two three-year terms, eir at BCCI or at state association, goes into a compulsory three-year cooling-off period. current dispensation wants that period to kick in only after individual has finished two terms (six years), at board and state association separately. If passed with a three-fourth majority, it will effectively extend tenure of Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah respectively.

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BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told PTI that all proposed amendments are aimed at strengning board's structure and will only be incorporated once approved by Supreme Court.

"We are t touching 70-year cap clause. With regards to cooling off, our point of view is if somebody has gained experience by running state association, why give him a cooling-off. That experience should be utilised in best interest of game. If he can contribute in BCCI, why t?" said Dhumal.

"We will take it (all passed amendments at AGM) to Supreme Court. We will put across our point of view. What are practical difficulties we are facing with regards to a few things. In case court agrees with our idea, n we will have those amendments," he added.

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However, going forward, it has been proposed that a three-fourth majority at AGM should be able to ratify any amendment in constitution as it is t "practical" to take Supreme Court's approval, which is required in existing constitution.   With BCCI's clout significantly reduced at ICC due to administrative crisis over past three years, board has proposed that experienced hands must represent India in world body and 70-year cap clause should t apply to m. This could pave way for former President N Srinivasan to attend ICC meetings on behalf of BCCI. Srinivasan was forced to step aside after game was shaken by 2013 spot-fixing scandal.

"In order to protect interests of BCCI, which are being steadily eroded at ICC, people with experience of negotiation and personal interaction with or member nations should be made representatives," BCCI said.              

Under existing constitution, CEO is point man for nine-member apex council but current set of office-bearers want that role for secretary, making him more powerful. top brass also wants CEO to report to secretary. account of last three financial years will also be passed at AGM. In terms of cricketing decisions, various committees, including Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), will be appointed at AGM.

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After Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Ganguly stepped down from ir roles, Kapil Dev, Shantha Rangaswamy and Anshuman Gaekwad appointed men's team head coach. Ravi Shastri got an extension for top job. Both Rangaswamy and Gaekwad are w part of apex council as representatives of Indian Cricketers' Association. It is prerogative of CAC to appoint selection committee. So, it would be interesting to see, which former cricketers of repute form high-profile body. A new Ombudsman and Ethics Officer will also be appointed. two roles are being performed by (retired) Justice D K Jain, whose term ends in February.

contentious issue of conflict of interest is also expected to be discussed at AGM. Ganguly has already said it is one of most serious issues facing Indian cricket. Several past players have expressed unhappiness over Conflict of Interest clause, which CoA, in last status report, wanted to be altered. Meanwhile, it is understood MCA vice president Amol Kale would represent cricket association in AGM, while Tamil Nadu Cricket Association could be represented by eir its secretary R S Ramaswamy or president Rupa Gurunath, daughter of Srinivasan. Cricket Association of Bengal will be represented by its secretary Avishek Dalmiya.

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