Lodha Committee wants G.K.Pillai as Observer

The Justice R.M.Lodha Committee has recommended to the Supreme Court that former Union Home Secretary, G.K.Pillai be appointed as the Observer to guide the BCCI’s administration department.

G.K Pillai is the former Home secretary.

The Justice R.M.Lodha Committee has recommended to the Supreme Court that former Union Home Secretary, G.K.Pillai be appointed as the Observer to guide the BCCI’s administration department.

In its Third Status Report (dated Nov. 14) and submitted to the Supreme Court on November 18, the Lodha Committee has said: "The Committee submits that in view of its constitution and nature, its role of supervising the implementation of reforms as per the order dated 18.07.2016 and subsequent orders be confined only to be overall policy and direction, and not the actual administration of the BCCI."

The Committee further explained: "While the day to day administration of the BCCI is presently carried out by the CEO and certain managers who assist him in this regard, there would be a need to appoint an Observer who would guide the BCCI in its administration, particularly with reference to the award of contracts, transparency norms, audit, etc., for domestic, international and IPL cricket to be played hereafter. The Committee recommends that Mr.G.K.Pillai, former Union Home Secretary be appointed as the Observer, with a power to appoint Auditor and all necessary secretarial staff, assistance and remuneration as may be determined appropriate by the Committee."

The Committee wants the Supreme Court to nominate Mr.G.K.Pillai as the Observer of the BCCI to supervise the administration of the BCCI by the CEO and it wants the apex court to empower (the Lodha Committee) to appoint all necessary secretarial staff, assistance and also fix their remuneration as may be determined appropriate and also give direction as may be deemed fit for the implementation of the judgement dated July 18.

The Third Status Report has been submitted to the Supreme Court by Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Secretary, The Supreme Court Committee, which is how the Justice Lodha Committee is officially known.

In its order dated October 21, the Supreme Court said that the "The President and Secretary of BCCI shall within two weeks from today file a statement on affidavit indicating compliance made by BCCI of those of the recommendations of the Committee which have been complied with, the manner of compliance and the steps adopted for securing compliance with the remaining recommendations. They shall appear before the Committee to explain the manner of compliance and that an affidavit of compliance shall be filed before this Court on or before 3 December 2016 by the President and Secretary to BCCI."

The apex court also set a fresh deadline of December 3 for the BCCI to persuade the State association and secure its compliance to implement the Lodha Committee recommendations. The Supreme Court will resume hearing the case on December 5.