United in their concerns about the implementation of Lodha Committee recommendations on reforms, BCCI state units today authorised President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke to deal with the panel, whose suggestions have been made mandatory by the Supreme Court.
"There was no headway in the meeting which was over in just an hour. The general body entrusted President and Secretary to deal with the committee," a senior BCCI official told PTI today.
It will be Thakur and Shirke, who would meet Justice Lodha on August 9. Justice Markandey Katju is expected to accompany the duo during the discussions which has far reaching legal implications.
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It was learnt that all senior state unit officials expressed their concerns especially on the cumulative tenure of 9 years, age cap of 70 and a three-year cooling off period.
Some of the state associations like Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) also raised the issue about whether they can hold their AGM on August 31.
"We were told that we should take legal advice from BCCI counsel Abhinav Mukherjee whether to follow state constitution or follow panel verdict," the MPCA representative said.
The BCCI sub-committee meetings are expected to be held as per schedule or else the day to day functioning of board will be affected.
The BCCI has six months to ensure that reforms are carried out while another 12 months will be given to state units to toe the line.
"It's been tough for many officials but in the end one needs to respect the Apex Court verdict. Some state units would like to consume the maximum time till 18 months to implement the order," a senior official concluded.
Sources in the BCCI said there is a lot of ambiguity over
the payments issue as a result of which the cricket board is in the "limbo".
The BCCI is also unhappy over the observation by the Lodha committee that IPL is an "extravaganza", with a member saying it gives opportunity to youngsters to display talent.
Thakur, in his letter, goes on to write that Lodha Committee did a flip flop over its bank accounts status.
"Another flip flop is that the Committee states that no payment other than cricket matters is to be made. Payments to state associations are also for cricket matters. There is no explanation or clarity by the Committee for this," he said.
The BCCI will respond to Lodha panel's status report filed before the Supreme Court tomorrow. In the report, the panel asked for the removal of the Board's entire top brass for violating its recommendations in the SGM held in September 30.
