Karnataka is now Lodha compliant

Among the major issues that were dealt with at the meeting were the terms of office bearers, the formation of the apex council and subsequent change of bylaws after the new statute is drawn up. © Getty

After months of consultations within the association and with other stakeholders, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is now fully compliant with the reforms spelt out by the RM Lodha panel.

KSCA president Sanjay Desai, along with a legal representative, met amicus curiae PS Narasimha, COA members, the BCCI CEO and the cricket board's legal team in New Delhi on Wednesday (April 24). After a lengthy discussion, they arrived at a consensus on issues which have been the bone of contention between the state units and the Lodha panel recommendations.

Among the major issues that were dealt with at the meeting were the terms of office bearers, the formation of the apex council and subsequent change of bylaws after the new statute is drawn up.

Speaking about the meeting, Desai told TOI on Thursday: "The meeting went off well. KSCA was already almost 80% compliant. We had raised a lot of queries which we addressed and KSCA is now fully Lodha-compliant. Next we will have to get the changes incorporated into our constitution and send it back to the COA for approval before it is submitted to the Registrar of Societies."

According to Desai, it has been agreed that the nine-year term for office bearers (excluding the cooling-off period) in the state will be independent of a similar role in the BCCI. Among the bigger issues to have been addressed at the meeting is the maximum strength of the apex council. While the current strength of KSCA's apex council is 26, the Lodha Panel had recommended a six-member group for state units. The two stakeholders have found the middle path and the number has now been pegged at 19.

Breaking down the composition, Desai explained, "Apart from the president, secretary, vice-president, joint secretary and the treasurer, there will be a women and men's cricket representative, comptroller and auditor general (CAG), six mofussil club representatives and three from Bengaluru and two life members."

Another contentious issue which has been resolved is the eligibility criteria to contest elections in the state. Going forward, those from clubs wishing to contest the KSCA elections has to be president or secretary of the club for a minimum of six years. "This has been done in the best interest of the association. We cannot have anyone come in on the strength of money power," Desai said.

The BCCI grants, which have been stopped due to non-compliance since 2016, is expected to be released to KSCA next week. While the first major hurdle has been cleared, KSCA will now wait for the scheduled May 2 Supreme Court hearing to see how that pans out in favour of other state associations.