JOIN USA Delhi government-appointed committee has recommended the suspension of the city’s cricket body and that public functions of its office bearers are subject to scrutiny like other government officials, under the anti-corruption law.
Bringing the Delhi cricket body under the purview of the Right to Information law was also proposed for greater transparency as it uses public funds in the form of central government subsidy. The committee report is being studied by the Delhi government which “will soon decide its further course of action”, said an official.
The three-member panel, set up by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the backdrop of suspected entertainment tax evasion and accounts fudging by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), recommended to the Board of Control for Cricket in India to streamline the functioning of the Delhi cricket body.
“The BCCI cannot continue to have a hands-off approach and should suspend DDCA as per the Memorandum and Rules and Regulations of the BCCI...and streamline the administration of DDCA,” the report said. “In the interim, professional cricketers should manage the affairs of cricket in Delhi,” said the report.
The committee, headed by Principal Secretary of Vigilance Department Chetan Sanghi, suggested that its report should be handed over to the Supreme Court-appointed Justice R M Lodha panel, which probed the IPL betting scandal.
The Lodha Committee is currently working on its recommendations to reform the way the BCCI functions. It took note of former cricketer Kirti Azad’s observations over alleged wrongdoing in DDCA, lapses in construction of the Ferozeshah Kotla cricket stadium and lack of a completion certificate till date, lack of disaster management facilities in the stadium and improper documentation under the Companies Act.
The panel also looked into complaints of illegal construction of 10 corporate boxes in the stadium and sub–lease of these boxes for 10 years to companies and use of allegedly forged age certificates of players selected to represent Delhi in cricket tournaments.
Apart from looking into alleged entertainment tax evasion, the brief of the committee was to report irregularities or wrongdoing, if any, by the DDCA, its officials and members. It was also asked to give suggestions for revamping DDCA to promote cricket in Delhi. The Delhi government claims the DDCA owes it Rs 24 crore as entertainment tax. A spokesman for the government dispelled doubts and said there was no relationship between hosting of the fourth Test match between India and South Africa commencing next month and the action mooted against DDCA. “It is unfortunate that some vested interests made a desperate attempt to link the probe into DDCA wrongdoing and financial irregularities with the hosting of the Test match in Delhi,” he said.
On the issue of subjecting DDCA functionaries to scrutiny under the anti-graft law, the report said: “The DDCA holds monopoly over the affairs of arguably the most popular sport in Delhi region, including selection of Delhi state's team. It is performing public functions and should be able to withstand the test of accountability, fairness, probity and transparency in all its activities.”