The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : BCCI authorises Pawar to initiate `appropriate action' against Dalmiya

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Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

BCCI authorises Pawar to initiate `appropriate action' against Dalmiya

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Working Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has authorised its president, Sharad Pawar, to initiate "appropriate action" against the former Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya on matters relating to "impropriety in money matters."

At an emergency meeting here on Tuesday, the Board, on the basis of a report submitted by its chartered accountant, decided to set in motion the process to recover accounts related to PILCOM, the organising committee for the World Cup held in the sub-continent in 1996.

The Board treasurer N. Srinivasan said that the Board was not convinced as far as certain financial transactions entered into by Mr. Dalmiya were concerned. Mr. Srinivasan observed that the Board was convinced "some action has to be taken. The process and timing will be decided by the BCCI president. We have access to accounts for just the last 12 months but some members were of the view that accounts had not been handled properly. There is a case of impropriety concerning money matters."

No clear cut answers

According to Mr. Srinivasan, Mr. Dalmiya attended the meeting but did not have much to say. "He did not give clear cut answers."

The report submitted by the chartered accountant raises objection to Mr. Dalmiya closing the bank account supposed to have been in operation for meeting the legal expenses relating to PILCOM.

(A PTI report from Delhi quoted Dalmiya terming the allegations ``absolutely baseless'' and said he was ready to furnish all details. "They are making absolutely baseless allegations in the media and if they have any query they should ask me. I am ready to provide all details, but why this public accusation?" Dalmiya said.)

Meanwhile the Board, said Mr. Srinivasan, was close to finding answers to issues concerning venues of the Champions Trophy. "The BCCI president will finalise the venues (more than three as ICC had insisted). There is a cost to it but we will resolve the problems shortly," said Mr. Srinivasan.

Charity ODI's

The Board treasurer also confirmed that India and Pakistan will play two one-day internationals in Abu Dhabi on April 18 and 19 to raise funds for earthquake victims. "From the first match, 75 per cent of the earnings will go to Pakistan and the rest to Kashmir while the two Boards will share the revenue earned from the second match," said Mr. Srinivasan.

The Board has increased the pension for Test players who played before 1975 from the existing Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month. The umpires have also benefited with the Board raising the fee for One Day Internationals — Rs. 70,000 for on field umpire, Rs. 35,000 for the third umpire and Rs. 15,000 for the reserve umpire. For Test matches, the on field umpire will receive Rs. 70,000 and the reserve umpire Rs. 25,000. For domestic umpires, the fee will be Rs. 5,000 per day.

In the forthcoming series against England, the ODI at Kochi will be a day game, Mr. Srinivasan said.

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