BCCI SGM on February 19 to discuss Lodha panel recommendations

Mumbai: Trying to figure out a way forward after being told to "fall in line" with the Justice (Retd) RM Lodha Committee recommendations, the BCCI has convened a Special General Meeting on February 19 to discuss the far- reaching consequences of the report.

Confirming the development, a source in the Mumbai Cricket Association, an affiliate of the BCCI, said the association has received the notice for the February 19 SGM from the Board.

"The SGM has been convened to have a discussion on the implementation of the Lodha Committee report," said the source.

Two other items on the special agenda of the SGM are "discussion on financial structure of the Member Boards of ICC (International Cricket Council) and the report of the Affiliation Committee of its visit to Chhattisgarh."

The far-reaching effect on the implementation of the Lodha Committee's recommendations calling for sweeping reforms in the BCCI's structure and the subsequent scathing observation on the matter by the Supreme Court which has shaken the Board members, is set to dominate the SGM.

Among the recommendations are limitation of tenure for the Board's office-bearers, prescription to limit their age to 70 years, one state-one vote (set to directly affect the associations within the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat) and barring of ministers and government officials from becoming office-bearers.

After the meeting of its Legal Committee last Sunday with BCCI President Shashank Manohar attending it, it was decided to convene a SGM to discuss the implementation of the Lodha Committee's recommendations.

It was decided that the SGM was needed to be convened to get the views of the BCCI's various affiliates before it responds to the Supreme Court on the issue.