NEW DELHI: Veteran politician, sports activities administrator and ex-president of ICC and BCCI, Sharad Pawar, has instructed the Supreme Court that 'overzealousness' in reforming cricket may just damage the game itself and alleged that the Committee of Administrator's draft BCCI charter had gone much past the Lodha panel's suggestions.
Presenting his credentials, Pawar mentioned: "The applicant being a veteran cricket administrator has played a pivotal role in developing and shaping cricket administration in the country. He is one of the people who has not only witnessed the rise of the board from its very humble beginnings, but has played a significant role in its development. It was under his leadership that for the first time pension scheme for former players was introduced and women's cricket was brought under the board. The world's most successful tournament IPL was conceptualised during his tenure."
Pawar's application, through advocates Neela Gokhale and Kamakshi Mehlwal, mentioned: "Today, the BCCI finds itself in the eye of the storm mainly because it is the richest cricket body in the world, which has further led to a perception that its working lacks transparency and previous litigation involving issues of nepotism and conflict of interest (N Srinivasan-Gurunath Meiyappan case), which acted as a build-up to the present proceedings, have further strengthened the said perception."
Pawar conceded that there have been inherent deficiencies, as in any more or less management, in the functioning of BCCI and that "some reformative steps were due to be taken to remove existing defects in the organisation to ensure transparency". However, he mentioned in its overzealousness to reform cricket management, the CoA's draft BCCI charter had "gone even beyond the scope and ambit of Lodha panel recommendations, as accepted by the SC in its July 18 last year order."
Arguing towards one-state one-vote standards, the NCP leader mentioned: "The accepted recommendation that one state shall have only one association is certainly a violation of the right of an association member of BCCI."
Referring to Mumbai Cricket Association's rich contribution to construction of the game, both in the case of choice of players and infrastructure, Pawar mentioned depriving MCA of voting rights in BCCI in the title of one-state one-vote would no longer lend a hand in infusing transparency in the functioning of the board.
He mentioned proper to form an affiliation was once a basic proper assured beneath Article 19(1)(C) of the Constitution."The applicant submits that the draft BCCI constitution appears to be contradicting the SC's July 18 order, in which the court had affirmed the protection under Article 19(1)(C) to state cricket associations. Once it is done, no fetters can be placed on the working of the associations, conditions of eligibility etc. Further amendments and modifications in the draft BCCI constitution, which amount to modifying the SC orders, impact the fundamental rights of the applicant. This is contrary to the existing legislative and constitutional scheme," he mentioned.
Pawar stepped down as MCA president in 2016 after the SC accepted the Lodha committee's recommendation barring those above 70 years from cricket management.
Presenting his credentials, Pawar mentioned: "The applicant being a veteran cricket administrator has played a pivotal role in developing and shaping cricket administration in the country. He is one of the people who has not only witnessed the rise of the board from its very humble beginnings, but has played a significant role in its development. It was under his leadership that for the first time pension scheme for former players was introduced and women's cricket was brought under the board. The world's most successful tournament IPL was conceptualised during his tenure."
Pawar's application, through advocates Neela Gokhale and Kamakshi Mehlwal, mentioned: "Today, the BCCI finds itself in the eye of the storm mainly because it is the richest cricket body in the world, which has further led to a perception that its working lacks transparency and previous litigation involving issues of nepotism and conflict of interest (N Srinivasan-Gurunath Meiyappan case), which acted as a build-up to the present proceedings, have further strengthened the said perception."
Pawar conceded that there have been inherent deficiencies, as in any more or less management, in the functioning of BCCI and that "some reformative steps were due to be taken to remove existing defects in the organisation to ensure transparency". However, he mentioned in its overzealousness to reform cricket management, the CoA's draft BCCI charter had "gone even beyond the scope and ambit of Lodha panel recommendations, as accepted by the SC in its July 18 last year order."
Arguing towards one-state one-vote standards, the NCP leader mentioned: "The accepted recommendation that one state shall have only one association is certainly a violation of the right of an association member of BCCI."
Referring to Mumbai Cricket Association's rich contribution to construction of the game, both in the case of choice of players and infrastructure, Pawar mentioned depriving MCA of voting rights in BCCI in the title of one-state one-vote would no longer lend a hand in infusing transparency in the functioning of the board.
He mentioned proper to form an affiliation was once a basic proper assured beneath Article 19(1)(C) of the Constitution."The applicant submits that the draft BCCI constitution appears to be contradicting the SC's July 18 order, in which the court had affirmed the protection under Article 19(1)(C) to state cricket associations. Once it is done, no fetters can be placed on the working of the associations, conditions of eligibility etc. Further amendments and modifications in the draft BCCI constitution, which amount to modifying the SC orders, impact the fundamental rights of the applicant. This is contrary to the existing legislative and constitutional scheme," he mentioned.
Pawar stepped down as MCA president in 2016 after the SC accepted the Lodha committee's recommendation barring those above 70 years from cricket management.
BCCI reforms may destroy cricket: Sharad Pawar
![BCCI reforms may destroy cricket: Sharad Pawar]()
Reviewed by Kailash
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October 27, 2017
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