Lodha committee proposes sweeping reforms for BCCI

New Delhi

In a series of drastic recommendations, the three-member panel, headed by Justice (Retd) R M Lodha, also suggested one unit should represent only one state, while taking away the voting rights of institutional and city-based units.

The committee also suggested the restructuring of the BCCI's administrative set-up, proposing the position of a CEO to run the daily affairs of the Board accountable to a nine-member apex council.

Addressing a crowded press conference after submitting a 159-page report to the Supreme Court, which will decide whether these recommendations would be binding on the BCCI, Lodha said he held 38 meetings with Board officials, cricketers and other stakeholders.

"First thing is about the structure and the constitution.

As you know, presently the BCCI has 34 members. Some of these members do not have any territory like Services, Railways etc.

Some of them do not play tournaments. Some of the states have multiple members like Maharashtra has three, Gujarat has 3.

With the interactions we had, except few it was broadly represented to us that one state as a unit of representation in BCCI is a very fair idea," Lodha said as he gave detailed explanations for the recommendations.

Among the most sensational suggestions by the Lodha panel, which also included Justice (Retd) Ashok Bhan and Justice (Retd) RV Raveendran, was the one to legalize betting.

The panel felt that the move would help curb corruption in the game and recommended that except for players and officials, people should be allowed to place bets on registered websites.

Among other steps, panel said that to ensure transparency in the BCCI's functioning, it is important to bring the body under the purview of the Right to Information Act, something that the Board has vehemently opposed in the past citing its autonomy.

"...since the BCCI performs public functions, people have the right to know the functions and facilities and other activities of the BCCI and therefore in our opinion whether RTI Act is applicable to BCCI or BCCI is amenable to RTI is sub-judice. We have recommended the legislature must seriously consider bringing BCCI within the purview of the RTI Act," Justice Lodha stated.

Another important decision taken by the committee was to clear former IPL COO Sundar Raman, who was alleged to have contacts with bookies. The panel said there was not enough evidence to indict Raman.