Not comfortable with many Lodha recommendations, hints MCA

Mumbai: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Wednesday dropped hints that it was not comfortable with many recommendations made by Justice Lodha Panel on BCCI reforms but was willing to accept suggestions on transparency.

The MCA held its Managing Committee meeting on Wednesday and discussed the 159-page report, submitted by the three-member Lodha Panel to the Supreme Court and the BCCI.

Recommendations prescribed by Justice RM Lodha. (Photo: PTI)

MCA is headed by 75-year-old Sharad Pawar and if recommendations were to be implemented in letter and spirit, the politician will have to relinquish his post since the suggestions do not allow any person above 70 years to hold an administrative post in BCCI or its affiliated units.

There are certain clauses of administrative and cricketing operations for which the association shall forward its views to the BCCI as advised by them," MCA Joint Secretary PV Shetty said in a statement.

"The Managing Committee met today (Wednesday) to deliberate on the recommendations of the Lodha Committee and decided to accept the recommendations for transparency and ethics," he added.

Read: Lodha Panel recommendations good for Indian cricket: Anil Kumble

When asked how MCA views the circumstances, leading up to the current scenario where the judiciary had to intervene and ask for a clean up, Pawar said, "One thing is clear, administrators are not responsible for this situation."

Pawar categorically rejected the suggestions that affiliated units, which will lose vote, should host tennis and hockey matches in their respective stadiums.

That is not practical because sizes of tennis (courts) and all are different. There are practical difficulties," Pawar said.

Lodha panel has pointed out that in the BCCI not all states of India are represented and some states, including Maharashtra, are over-represented. As such the panel has proposed the policy of 'One State - One Member - One Vote'.