Implement Lodha panel report on BCCI reforms in toto: SC to Board

The Supreme Court today asked the BCCI to "fall in line" and implement in toto the Lodha panel report which had recommended sweeping changes in the structure, management and functioning of the Board.

A special bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur however gave four weeks time to BCCI to respond about its stand on the committee's recommendations and adjourned the matter to March for further hearing.

"You fall in line and follow the recommendations....decks must be cleared for a complete reform" said the bench.

Hearing certain objections raised by BCCI on the report and a plea by Cricket Association of Bihar for a direction to the Board to implement the recommendations,  the CJI said "the report deserves respect. It came from well meaning members of the fraternity who held consultations with all the stake holders. They have come out with a rationale and viable solution to problems".

When BCCI said it was not adopting an "obstructionist"attitude but wanted to be heard on several practical problems regarding implementation, CJI Thakur said it proposed to keep alive the Lodha panel and direct it to help the BCCI to implement the recommendations.

In what could result in the biggest ever shake up of the BCCI, the panel had fixed a cap on the age and tenure of the top office bearers of the board virtually ending the road for many political strongmen in the sports administration.
Significantly the panel also recommended barring of ministers, government servants from holding top five posts of President, Vice President, secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer in the BCCI.

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 who will be accountable to a nine-member apex council.