CoA orders BCCI members to name ombudsman, ethics officer by October 14
The CoA has also asked the BCCI members to appoint a representative of the state accountant general office to their apex/governing council.
Published : Oct 12, 2019 17:43 IST
The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) that manages the day-to-day functioning of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued an 11th-hour direction to members of the country’s ruling body for the sport to appoint an ombudsman and ethics officer by October 14, citing an order from the apex court dated August 9, 2018.
In an advisory, the CoA said: “It has been brought to our attention that several State/Member Associations have not appointed the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer till date. Please note that this is a serious non-compliance of the Judgment dated 9th August, 2018.”
Incidentally, the BCCI itself has a single individual, D. K. Jain, who functions as both ombudsman and ethics officer.
The CoA has also asked the BCCI members to appoint a representative of the state accountant general office to their apex/governing council.
The CoA will facilitate this by writing to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the accountant generals of states requesting their cooperation.
Following complaints and objections received from individuals, the CoA has also reiterated the disqualification rules applicable to office-bearers, councillors and managing committee members.
The CoA concluded its directive by saying, “All Members are directed to do the needful and take all necessary steps required for appointment of the said nominee on the Apex Council/Governing Council. Please note that, in line with the Judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 9th August, 2018 read with Orders dated 7th October, 2016 and 21st October, 2016 and the BCCI Constitution, the disbursement of funds to Member Associations by the BCCI is contingent upon them complying inter alia with the aforesaid requirements.”