Just In: The BCCI’s accounts have been unblocked.
The third test match between India and New Zealand has come under cloud over annual subsidies and payments. The Lodha Committee wrote to the Board of Control for Cricket in India questioning payments to state associations and the two banks, Yes Bank and Bank of Maharashtra that operate BCCI’s accounts froze the BCCI accounts on Monday.
A TOI report quoted a senior BCCI functionary, “How can we play the Test against New Zealand when we won’t have the money to pay their board for the tour? They (Lodha panel) are raising questions over money that belongs to the BCCI and is being distributed to its member associations under its rules and regulations. The match cannot go ahead.”
When contacted a Lodha Panel representative said, “Wait till October 6 (when the next hearing will be held in the SC). Everything will be sorted out then.” The Lodha Committee didn’t even speak to anyone in the BCCI to find out details of the working committee,” the board official said. “Let’s not make a fool of ourselves throughout the world for not being able to pay. Let the New Zealand team leave honourably,” the official added.
“In fact, the entire home season may now be in doubt after what is happening. They (Lodha panel) are only interested in doing what they think is right. Whereas it is the BCCI’s money which the BCCI is distributing for improvement of infrastructure,” another official said.
The Lodha Committee on Monday shot off emails to the secretary , treasurer and chief executive officer of the BCCI, informing them that the cricket board was in violation of the Supreme Court judgment for disbursing large funds to state associations in an emergency working committee meeting on September 30.
