NEW DELHI: Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramanium, guiding the Supreme Court in implementation of the Justice Lodha Committee reforms by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and its full members, has brushed off most of BCCI’s objections raised in its petition before the apex court, agreeing to only one amendment.
According to Cricbuzz, Subramanium believes that an increase in members of BCCI’s selection panel is a must. He wrote in his letter to SC: “Having regard to the number of selectors required, the Amicus respectfully submits that the current number of 3 selectors can be increased to 5 subject to following the criteria. The Constitution may be amended as indicated in item 12-15 of Annexure A.”
Most importantly Subramanium has stated, “Every member of the men’s selection committee should have retired (from the game) at least 5 years previously and that the senior most among the members shall be appointed as the chairperson.”
Subramanium also agreed that Railways can be given full membership as an exception. Subramanium said: “Railways fields at least 90 per cent of the members of the Women’s Cricket Team, i.e. who play for India in the national team. A question therefore arises whether Railways must be given a full membership. In view of the security of employment of the players from Railways as well as the ability to demonstrate playing skills and having regard to women’s cricket as an integral part of Indian Cricket, it appears necessary to consider this as an exception.”
He also stated that Railways representative should be former cricketer and not a person appointed by the government.
Services, Indian Universities, National Cricket Club and Cricket Club of India do not qualify as full member status as per Subramanium. He also brushed off objections raised by BCCI over one-state-one-vote, cooling off period, nine-year tenure and other disqualification norms etc.
On the issue of cool off period, Subramanium said: “Upon the registration of the said Constitution of BCCI, each of the member States shall undertake registration of their respective Constitutions on similar lines within a period of 30 days thereafter. Elections will take place to the state associations, in the first instance, before elections take place to the BCCI.”
He has recommended the composition of the junior and women’s selection committees from three to five members, with the criteria for the junior selection committee being a minimum of 25 First Class matches and to have retired from the game five years previously and for the women’s selection committee being having represented the national team and to have retired from the game five years previously.
