The Supreme Court’s decision to approve all the recommendations of the R M Lodha Committee has brought long awaited good news for cricket lovers in Bihar. Bihar will now become a full member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This means that Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) will now enjoy voting rights, and will also become eligible to play Ranji Trophy along with other domestic tournaments. Apart from this, the association will now be eligible to receive their share grants from BCCI.
Earlier BCA had been disaffiliated by former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmia in 2001. But on the flip side, BCA president Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who is also the Finance Minister of Bihar, may have to go as the recommendation of the Lodha committee clearly state that serving ministers and bureaucrats can’t hold any office in the board. He may be the only person who may have to go as per the recommendation of committee headed by Ex CJI Justice R M Lodha.
The BCA officials looked ecstatic after the decision. “We respect the Supreme Court verdict. As per the Lodha recommendations, Bihar is now a full member of the BCCI, which means that we’re eligible to vote in the Board elections, and we can play in the Ranji Trophy from this season itself, which is the best news for our cricketers. Being a full member, we would now also be eligible for our share of the board’s grants, which will help us build infrastructure in our state and revamp the Moin-ul-Haq stadium in Patna,” said Mrityunjay Tiwary, the BCA secretary. He further added “We will hold our meeting soon, to study the SC verdict. Our president, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, will have to quit now because of he’s also the finance minister in the state cabinet”.
The judgment has brought relief for the aspiring cricketers of the state as it gives them an opportunity to participate in the domestic tournaments.
