New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India as to why it wants Ministers in the administration of the Board.
A bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice Ibrahim Kalifulla, hearing applications from BCCI and State cricket associations opposing several recommendations of Justice Lodha panel said having Ministers was not a happy situation where the system cannot work without political clout for carrying out a legitimate cricketing activity.
After going through the averments, the CJI wondered why the BCCI had not developed cricket fully in 11 States particularly Bihar, Chattisgarh and north eastern States as the Board had not given a single paisa during the last 10 years, though it chose to disburse Rs 60 crore to a small state like Goa in one year.
Senior counsel B.H. Marlappalle appearing for the Mumbai Cricket Association submitted that the bar on ministers from occupying posts in BCCI should not be made mandatory. He said “We claim to be world’s largest democracy this will send a bad message to the international community.”
The CJI quipped “In international community are ministers eminently part of the system? In any world body is a minister entitled to be a member? Do you have any apprehension that Parliament will take over or there would be statutory enactment to control cricket.” The counsel replied that inclusion of ministers in the BCCI would enable “pragmatic” suggestions and guidance for the board.
