BCCI SGM: Five Lodha panel recommendations state associations will oppose

New Delhi: The BCCI's special general meeting in Mumbai on Friday will be one of its important in recent times.

At the meeting, the Indian board will debate the opinions of the state associations with regards to the sweeping changes recommended by the Supreme Court appointed Lodha panel.

The apex court had handed BCCI a March 3 deadline to notify it whether the recommendations will be implemented.

However, a final decision may not be arrived at during the SGM. According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the world's richest cricket board could opt for constituting a committee to further discuss the observations of its member units before formally replying to the court.

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Wednesday refused to implement the recommendations, while several other state units are expected to either oppose them or ask for modifications.

One state, one vote: States like Maharashtra and Gujarat are represented by more than one team. The board feels traditional cricket powehouses like Mumbai and Baroda will suffer if this recommendation is implemented.

BCCI under RTI: Since the board receives no grants from the Indian government, question of coming under the RTI does not arise, feel BCCI officials.

Term limits: Panel recommended a maximum of three terms of three years each. BCCI officials say this will hamper continuity within the board.

Retirement age: Lodha panel's report recommended it as 70. It also wants no entry for ministers and bureaucrats in the board. Currently, some of the most powerful administrators in BCCI are politicians themselves.

Clampdown on ads: Lodha committee wants TV commercials only during intervals. BCCI will suffer a 75% loss in telecast rights revenue, claim BCCI officials.

Another important topic of discussion at the meeting is bound to be the recent decisions announced by the ICC, which advocated reviewing the conititution and structure of world cricket's governing body.