Justice Mudgal report makes stinging remarks against DDCA's style of functioning

Justice (retd) Mukul Mudgal has come out with a 27-page report highlighting a series of deficiencies in the functioning of Delhi and District Cricket Association during the Test match between India and South Africa here last month.

Mudgal, who was appointed the observer by Delhi High Court to look into the affairs of the Test match, submitted the report before a Delhi High Court bench, comprising justices S Muralidhar and Vibhu Bakhru. The report stated 11 failings and 17 recommendations to improve the state of affairs in the DDCA. 

In his report, which was also supervised by former Deputy CAG of India IP Singh, Mudgal said it was a matter of concern that  despite financial irregularities surfacing in the internal audit of the DDCA , no tangible action appeared to have been taken by the Management and Accounts Wing. “Unless corrective action is taken, these shortcomings will continue,” he wrote.

 Mudgal pointed at lack of transparency in tendering system as well as record keeping. “For previous matches, no records were available to indicate how quotations were invited, how the vendors or the previous matches, no records were available to indicate how quotations were invited, how the vendors to whom work was allotted were selected, how the competitiveness of the rates was ascertained,” he wrote.

“The records relating to contracts/work orders for the earlier matches are not available.”
Mudgal’s list of shortcomings included delay in payment of bills, allotment of corporate boxes and naming of pavilions and stands, defunct sub-committees, issues pertaining to ticketing, broadcasting and media. The report said there was “no transparency” while assigning of duties by DDCA during the match at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here.

Justice Mudgal said as per the Internal Auditors report, Rs 5.56 crore were lying with the accounts department pending approval by the management. "This relates to the financial years of 2014-15 (Rs 3.79 crore) and 2012-13/2013-14 (Rs 1.77 crore). It is highly undesirable situation. The balance sheet for the year 2014-15 is yet to be finalised,” he said.

Mudgal’s recommendations for improvement included invitation of open tenders in time (preferable giving 3 weeks’ time,) maintenance of proper records relating to work, contracts and all sanctions having financial implications. He also advocated for accounts wings to be strengthened. He stressed on cutting do­wn the number of complimentary passes and tickets.