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First BCCI AGM under Sourav Ganguly to amend various key Lodha Reforms

In the agenda released for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the BCCI has proposed an amendment for the current cooling-off period rule.

First BCCI AGM under Sourav Ganguly to amend various key Lodha Reforms

Sourav Ganguly file image. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP)

When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hold it first Annual General Meeting (AGM), on Sunday, under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly, key decisions will be taken regarding some important Lodha Reforms that were included in the BCCI constitution.

In the agenda released for the AGM, the BCCI has proposed an amendment for the current cooling-off period rule which makes it mandatory for a person to get himself/herself off from every type of cricket administration for three years after serving two three-year terms in BCCI or in the state boards.

The current office-bearers suggest that the rule should be applicable to those who have served six years in either BCCI or state boards without clubbing the two.

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For the rule to be changed, the amendments will have to be passed by the three-fourth of the general body of the board and approved by the Supreme Court of India.

If passed, the new rule could make Ganguly and newly-appointed Secretary Jay Shah’s stay longer in their respective offices. While Shah’s term is supposed to run for one-and-a-half years, Ganguly’s tenure is dated till July 2020.

Since the existing rule was framed by the apex court, amending it will also require its approval, a veteran in cricket administration had reportedly told the New Indian Express.

However, another significant change that the Ganguly-led AGM is expected to propose is to do away with taking the Supreme Court’s approval for amending the BCCI constitution.

The existing terms for bringing forward any change in the constitution needs the three-fourth majority of the general body and the court’s approval. The new proposals include everything other than the court’s part.

BCCI treasurer Arun Dhama has reportedly said that all the proposed amendments will strengthen the board’s structure and will come into effect only with the required approval of the Supreme Court.

“We will take it (all passed amendments at the AGM) to the Supreme Court. We will put across our point of view. What are the practical difficulties we are facing with regards to a few things. In case the court agrees with our idea, then we will have those amendments,” PTI quoted Dhamal as saying.

Other than the administrative reformations, the AGM is also expected to take some key cricketing decisions. One such could be the appointment of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).

Under the Supreme Court’s rule, Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman were appointed for the first CAC. After the trio stepped aside, Kapil Dev, Shantha Rangaswamy and Anshuman Gaekwad were handed the responsibility.

However, Rangaswamy and Gaekwad are now part of the apex council as representatives of the Indian Cricketer’s Association. Thus it will be interesting to see who will be there in the next CAC since it is their prerogative to appoint the selection committee of the Indian team.

Amendments have also been proposed for the 70-year age cap clause. The current mood in BCCI feels that its stature at the ICC has fallen due to the administrative crisis of the last three years and thus there should be experienced hands representing the board in the world body.

According to a PTI report, this could well pave the way for N Srinivasan to make a comeback and attend ICC gathering on behalf of BCCI.

Another agenda that could be discussed in the meeting would be to curtail the extensive power of the executive officers including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The newly-elected office-bearers feel that the CEO holds more power than them in the day-to-day management of the board.

The new proposals suggest that all the cricketing and non-cricketing matters should be conducted under the direct supervision and control of Ganguly & Co. The top bosses also want the CEO to report to the secretary.

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