SC nod to Lodha panel changes; Pawar, Srinivasan hit dead end

The far-reaching reforms in BCCI recommended by the Lodha Committee today got the stamp of approval from the Supreme Court that will keep former czars like Sharad Pawar and N Srinivasan out because of the age-cap of 70 on those occupying posts in the cash-rich body as also ministers and civil servants.
When implemented, the Justice R M Lodha Committee recommendations could also put an end to the tenure of BCCI President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke from holding top posts in their state associations--Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra--respectively.
The key recommendations, which found strong favour from a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, also included nomination of a member of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and Accountant General in BCCI and state cricket boards respectively to bring financial transparency in them.

The bench approved the recommendation favouring one state-one vote and one member-one post besides asking the Parliament and the Law Commission to mull over suggestions to bring BCCI under the purview of Right to Transparency Act and legalise betting in cricket.
"We accept the report submitted by the Committee and the recommendations made therein with such modifications and clarifications...", the verdict, penned by Justice Thakur, along with Justice F M I Kalifulla said while fixing a six- months deadline for the implementation of the recommendations.
At the outset in the 143-page verdict, the bench, which rejected the vehement pleas of the BCCI and some of its members

against the recommendations, said "'Change' it is famously said is all that is constant in the world. And yet the world hates change, no matter, it is only change that has brought progress for mankind.