State associations have not payed their staff

The Lodha Committee had recommended holding back of funds to all the State units who did not fall in line with the new set of norms, including conduct of fresh elections on the basis of a revised and uniform constitution.

A member of staff walks past the logo of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) outside its headquarters in Mumbai on May 22, 2016. The new chief of India's embattled cricket board said that the body was not "running away" from reforms following corruption scandals, but he remained opposed to a key recommendation from the country's top court. Lawmaker Anurag Thakur, 41, was elected as the youngest-ever president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following a special meeting in Mumbai. / GETTYOUT / ----IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE----- / AFP PHOTO / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / ----IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE-----

In a concerted move, most State associations have not paid salaries to their staff, citing drying up of funds as the reason, due to the Lodha Committee Recommendations.

The Lodha Committee had recommended holding back of funds to all the State units who did not fall in line with the new set of norms, including conduct of fresh elections on the basis of a revised and uniform constitution.

According to a coach assisting a State team, no payment has been released by many affiliated units. “We have not received any salary since December and it applies across all units under the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India),” said a cricketer, who has been assisting a Ranji Trophy team.

Along with the coaches, those who have been denied payment include trainers, video analysts and physiotherapists employed by the State units. “I don’t remember payment being delayed beyond the 10 of the month. The salary would be always credited to our accounts even though for some time we were given payments through cheque. But it is five months now and there are no signs of the payment,” the coach complained.

The support staff is reportedly dismissed with the excuse that there are no funds. To the contrary, all State units, barring Vidarbha, have left their coaching staff  in a state of uncertainty.

A top BCCI source said it was only an effort by some State associations to embarrass the Committee of Administrators (CoA) which is only following the Supreme Court ruling in this regard. “It is clear that no money would be released to any State association which does not implement the Lodha Committee recommendations,” said the source.

The distressed fraternity of support staff was hopeful of the CoA intervening to address their grievances.

Champions Trophy

Meanwhile, there are indications that the Board would not be able to go ahead with its decision to pull out of the Champions Trophy to be held in England from June 1.

 According to sources, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) will step in to overrule such a decision which may harm the interest of the players. A decision to pull out of the Champions Trophy would also spell an end to India's participation in the women's World Cup in June.