BCCI allows Srinivasan to perform statutory functions

Kolkata: His exile is not yet over but N Srinivasan was given the go ahead to perform the BCCI`s "constitutional and statutory functions" by the Working Committee which also invited him to attend the Board`s Annual General Meeting on September 29 in Chennai.

Srinivasan, who was forced to step aside in the wake of the IPL spot-fixing scandal in which his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was implicated, attended the working committee meeting here on Sunday. The Tamil Nadu strongman, however, did not chair the meeting, which was presided over by interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya. "Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya was in the Chair. He informed the members that there were certain constitutional and statutory functions of the President, BCCI, which would have to be discharged by Mr N Srinivasan till the next AGM," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement after the working committee meeting. "It was decided that the Working Committee invite Mr. N. Srinivasan, President, BCCI, to perform his constitutional and statutory functions and attend the meeting," he added. Besides Srinivasan, India`s itinerary in the coming months was also discussed by the Board officials, who have proposed a home series against the West Indies in November this year to ensure that senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar plays his 200th Test in front of Indian fans. "Apart from the Home Series against Australia in October 2013, the Working Committee approved a proposed Home series against the West Indies in the month of November 2013," the Board stated. "The Indian team`s tour of New Zealand for two Tests and five ODIs in January/February 2014 was approved. The Indian team`s tour of England for five Tests/five ODIs/one T20 International, from July to September 2014, was approved," it added. The AGM on September 29 will be the Board`s 84th and Srinivasan is expected to seek a second term as President during the meet. Apart from this, it was decided that the Board`s Disciplinary Committee will meet on September 13 to consider Anti-Corruption Unit chief Ravi Sawani`s report on the IPL spot-fixing scandal. Besides, the BCCI also approved the recommendations made by the National Cricket Academy`s Board. These recommendations include having an arrangement with MRF Pace Foundation and utilise the facilities of the KSCA at Alur, near Bangalore. The NCA Board has also recommended setting up academies in each of the five zones, and a dedicated academy for the North-Eastern states in Guwahati. PTI