JOIN USThe Supreme Court on Monday told the Karnataka State Cricket Association that it is not an “insurmountable difficulty” for it to have a nominee from the Comptroller and Auditor General in its body as per recommendation of the Lodha panel.
A bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice R M I Kalifullah questioned Karnataka as well as Haryana Cricket Association for opposing the suggestions by the Lodha panel for reforms in the BCCI and state affliated bodies.
“If it is required for the state bodies to have a nominated member from the CAG, why don't you amend your rules. It is not something which is insurmountable,” the bench told the counsel appearing for the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
The KSCA Counsel also found fault with the recommendation barring nomination of any member above 70 years of age.
He said KSCA had many illustrious members as office-bearers and after Mumbai, it had the maximum contribution to the Indian cricket team. “We are a registered society and could not appoint someone from outside without amending the rules, which was prohibited,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, the court also pulled up Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, appearing for Services and Railways, for Lodha panel's recommendation depriving them right to vote in the BCCI and reducing their status from full member to associate member only.
“Is there a tug-of-war going on? How does it affect your right to select team and play, that right is not curtailed. You want a say in decision-making by the BCCI but it is a job of experts,” the bench observed.