SC allows BCCI to incur Rs 1.33 cr expenses for Ind-Eng tests

The Supreme Court today allowed the BCCI to incur expenses of Rs 1.33 crore for holding the remaining two cricket test matches between India and England scheduled at Mumbai and Chennai respectively.
A bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud also allowed the BCCI to an incur expenditure of upto Rs 25 lakh each for the three one-day internationals and three T-20 matches which are to be played between India and England from January 15 to February one.
"We allow this application (by the BCCI). The BCCI will be free to incur Rs 1.33 crore expenditure for two test matches," the bench said, adding, "We also permit the BCCI to incur expenses of upto Rs 25 lakh per match for six matches (three ODIs and three T-20s) scheduled to be played with England in January-February."

The apex court made it clear that payments to the state cricket associations hosting the matches have to be done through pay orders or cheques and no part of the fund will go to the host.
However, it asked the BCCI to file an affidavit giving details of total money received by it in the three test matches which have already been played between India and England at Rajkot, Visakhapatnam and Mohali.
The cricket body will also furnish details of expenditure and income from the upcoming two test matches scheduled at Mumbai and Chennai, it said.

The bench said the expenses would be incurred by the BCCI in terms of the order passed by the apex court on November 8 when it had allowed it to incur an expense of Rs 58.66 lakh for the first test match.

On November 8, the bench had made it clear that payments would be made directly to the parties concerned with various contracts and the BCCI would maintain a book of actual expenditure which has to be furnished to the Justice R M Lodha committee for verification by its auditor who has to be appointed expeditiously by the panel.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Board of
Control for Cricket in India, told the bench that two matches were scheduled to be played in the test series after which both team would play three ODIs and three T-20 matches respectively.

However, the bench asked Sibal, "What was the income from the last three test matches? Are you (the BCCI) spending more than what you are earning?"
Initially, Sibal said he has not taken instructions on this but the broadcasting rights had been given before the start of the cricket series. He later said the BCCI would file an affidavit in this regard.
To this, the bench said, "We want to know how much is the collection and how much the BCCI has got."
When the bench said that at this stage it will allow the application for disbursal of money for the test matches, Sibal said that the BCCI needs money to book the hotels for the teams for the ODIs and T-20 matches as well.

"Then we will allow Rs 25 lakh per match so that you can have something in your hands for booking and other purposes," it said.
The bench also wanted to know from Sibal, "Is there any allowance which is given to the visiting team?"
Responding to this, he said, "Yes. The allowances are 50 pounds per day per head."
Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the Lodha panel, told the bench that they have no objection as far as disbursal of funds for the test matches are concerned.
When the bench asked as to who sell the tickets for the matches, he said it was done by respective state associations where the matches are played and a part of the money goes to the BCCI.

Earlier in the day, Sibal had mentioned the application before a bench headed by CJI Thakur who had argeed to hear it.
The apex court has already fixed for hearing on December 9, the plea of the Lodha committee that former Home Secretary G K Pillai be appointed as an observer of the BCCI.
The committee has also sought removal of BCCI office bearers who are holding posts in contravention of norms such as age bar and one person-one post suggested by it.