BCCI meeting and that of AICC resemble in many ways – but the cricket corruption submerged the Congress corruption!
BCCI meeting and that of AICC resemble in many ways: Sonia Congress was delaying for the Karnataka elections to get rid of the two corrupt ministers Ashwini Kumar and Pawankumar Bansal. Similarly, BCCI waited till Sunday just like Sonia. 08-05-2013 (election results declared) and 15-05-2013 (the three dirty cricketers were arrested) are Wednesdays only! The result of the meeting was formation of committee to inquire. While Shivsena[1] has commented that cricket spurred sex, gambling etc., now JD-U leader says that cricket is a trade[2].
Dirty and greedy players should go to jail: N. Srinivasan, the BCCI President was reacting to Karan Thapar from Kodaikkanal, avoiding the issue (on 18th evening in “Devil’ advocate”), but lastly agreed to say[3] that “the dirty players should go to jail”. Now, he says that agents of all players will now need to be accredited to the Indian cricket board while an anti-corruption official of the board will be assigned to each Indian Premier League (IPL) team, board president N Srinivasan announced on Sunday (19-05-2013). The way in which he talks resembles Kapil Sibal, who is capable of twisting anything in any manner. Of course, Rajeev shukla talks[4] like Dig vijaya Singh, as says “action will be taken against the three”. Barely a few hours after an emergent meeting of the Board’s Working Committee, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla today reiterated that members were unanimous in their decision to take strong action against the players if they are found guilty in the spot-fixing scandal.
BCCI – emergency working committee meeting: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), at its emergency working committee meeting here in Chennai, on the wake of the spot-fixing scandal, also set up a panel to probe the scandal involving three Rajasthan Royals players –
- S Sreesanth,
- Ajit Chandila and
- Ankeet Chavan – who were arrested in Mumbai late Wednesday (15-05-2013)
by Delhi Police. The police have also nabbed twelve bookies so far. Among those attending the working committee meeting were –
- Ravi Shastri, former India captain (BCCI technical committee representative)
- Sanjay Jagdale, the board secretary
- Rajeev Shukla, IPL chairman
- Arun Jaitley, IPL governing council member and
- Anil Kumble, former India leg-spinner joined through video conference.
The entire proceedings went on just like Sonia Congress party and the decisions have also been on expected lines. Just like Parliament committee to enquire, here they themselves formed a committee to do so!
Inquiry committee appointed to inquire the allegations against the three arrested: As for the inquiry, Srinivasan said: “Ravi Sawani has been appointed as the commissioner to inquire into allegations against these players. His report will be submitted to the BCCI disciplinary committee in quick time. We won’t hesitate to act ruthlessly if the players are found guilty.” Srinivasan said a BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) official will accompany each team. This is just like Chidambaram heading the committee of ministers who discussed about the autonomy or independent working of CBI. “An ACSU official will travel with the team along with a security officer. Access to players will be monitored closely,” he said. Thus, one more posting has been created so that another retired player would come and enjoy life. Srinivasan said the education programme for players at the junior levels will be further intensified. “After incidents of the past, every domestic match is videographed. Now we will substantially intensify education programmes.” Now he talks about corruption also.
The anti-corruption units of the ICC (International Cricket Council) and BCCI have got certain limitations: The BCCI chief, however, conceded that the board was handicapped in corruption matters[5]. “The anti-corruption units of the ICC (International Cricket Council) and BCCI have got certain limitations[6]. They cannot gather information like police can. They can’t tap phones. They have got a lot of restrictions. All right, three players have indulged in something, but the education programme of the ICC as well as the BCCI has been successful in the fact that a lot of players have understood what they should be doing and what they should not be doing. We must look at how individuals have made a mistake. We cannot control every bookie in the town.” Thus, it is evident that BCCI would adopt the policy of “wait and see” to avoid further controversies[7].
Whether betting will be legalized in India: Whether the media persons asked this question wantonly or otherwise, he has been so happy about it, as could be noted, the way in which he responded. Asked about legalising betting in India, Srinivasan said: “Different arguments go on about legalising bettings. In other countries they have legalised, and it has helped. I don’t know about India, if it will work or not.” He also chose to thank the fans for turning up at stadiums despite the latest controversy. “For the last three-four days, there have been BCCI bashing and IPL bashing has taken place as if the whole world has fallen down. Only three players have allegedly done something. It doesn’t mean the whole IPL is bad. We are very grateful to the public that has sold out grounds despite the news.”
Against the backdrop of allegations of spot-fixing during IPL matches, Union Minister Ajay Maken today said the BCCI – the national governing body for cricket in India – should come under the ambit of the RTI Act. “BCCI should agree to come under RTI. Any organisation entrusted with job of selecting a National Team can not call itself a Private Body!,” Maken, who till recently held the Sports portfolio, twitted[8].
BCCI should come under the ambit of RTI: Maken, who holds Housing portfolio at present, said the Centre has already taken a stand before Central Information Commission (CIC) that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should be under the ambit of the Information law[9]. During his stint in the Sports Ministry, Maken had tried to bring transparency in sports bodies through the Sports Bill. But following divergent views within the Union Cabinet, he was asked to redraft certain provisions. In December, 2011 the Sports Ministry had informed the CIC that there are “just and reasonable grounds” for bringing BCCI under the ambit of the Right to Information Act.
Funding of BCCI, concessions given and tax compilation: In a seven-page written statement submitted before the CIC, the Sports Ministry had said although there is no direct funding of the BCCI, it gets “substantial indirect funding” from the government in the form of revenue forgo like “concessions in income tax, customs duty, etc” and land at concessional rates for stadiums. The Ministry also said BCCI is performing the functions “akin” to State and ‘public duties’ by selecting national teams and representing India in international events. According to section 2(h) of RTI Act, even a non-government organisation comes under the ambit of the transparency law if it is substantially financed, “directly or indirectly” by funds provided by the appropriate government.
IPL will always be a perfect staging ground for corruption: Ed Hawkins[10] pointed out that the Indian Premier League is unique in world cricket. No other domestic tournament can boast the superstar players, Bollywood braggadocio, dancing girls, television audiences or, of course, matches which so consistently swing thrillingly in favour from one team to the other. It is also probably the most corrupt. Since the IPL’s inception in 2008 it has been a tournament which has had a reputation among players, administrators and betting experts for being rigged for the benefit of the bookmakers and punters who seek out the greedy, the impressionable and, depressingly, the wily who know that there is no law against match-fixing in India. Lalit Modi, the tournament’s first commissioner, admits that was a mistake and although the game’s watchdog has proved to be ineffective, the die had been cast.When speaking with bookmakers and punters from India, they insist that each season is rigged from ball one. One source told me that ‘all matches are fixed’.
Modi the threatening factor in both cases: The corruption of the cricket has made others to forget the corruption of the Congress. Decadence does not worry about other decadence, as long as money comes out of such decadence[11]. Incidentally, the Modi factor has been threatening in both cases. Modi was confronting with Srinivasan and thus, he could always avoid all questions about the corruption of BCCI. Sonia and co. Can also get away with anything pointing to Modi. If Sonia & Co. Talks about 2002, then BCCI would talk about 2008 and Modi. While Modi was not liked by the US and EU, this Modi has been there only. Whether the state of Modi has any development model or not, the Modi-model of IPL has fertile ground for development, as now the talk of legalization of “betting” has started! Soon the media pick up and there would be debates carried on in TV channels. Obviously ND-TV or CNN-IBN might take a lead.
[1] http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ipl-has-spurred-a-gambling-and-sex-racket-sena/article4725094.ece
[3] http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ipl-has-not-let-down-people-dirty-cricketers-have-says-srinivasan/392543-3.html
[5] http://www.thehindu.com/sport/ipl2013/ipl-spotfixing-bcci-moots-steps-to-check-corruption/article4729898.ece
[6] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/spot-fixing-hits-ipl-6/news/BCCI-sets-up-probe-panel-wants-players-agents-accredited/articleshow/20136005.cms
[7] http://www.livemint.com/Politics/flxIdv9QY2l6HKA4ecL6cL/Rajasthan-Royals-to-file-FIR-against-players-BCCI-awaits-in.html
[8] His Twitter account clarifies that the Union minister’s tweets are personal.
[9] http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bcci-should-agree-to-come-under-rti-maken-113051900460_1.html
BCCI meeting and that of AICC resemble in many ways: Sonia Congress was delaying for the Karnataka elections to get rid of the two corrupt ministers Ashwini Kumar and Pawankumar Bansal. Similarly, BCCI waited till Sunday just like Sonia. 08-05-2013 (election results declared) and 15-05-2013 (the three dirty cricketers were arrested) are Wednesdays only! The result of the meeting was formation of committee to inquire. While Shivsena[1] has commented that cricket spurred sex, gambling etc., now JD-U leader says that cricket is a trade[2].
Dirty and greedy players should go to jail: N. Srinivasan, the BCCI President was reacting to Karan Thapar from Kodaikkanal, avoiding the issue (on 18th evening in “Devil’ advocate”), but lastly agreed to say[3] that “the dirty players should go to jail”.
Now, he says that agents of all players will now need to be accredited to the Indian cricket board while an anti-corruption official of the board will be assigned to each Indian Premier League (IPL) team, board president N Srinivasan announced on Sunday (19-05-2013). The way in which he talks resembles Kapil Sibal, who is capable of twisting anything in any manner. Of course, Rajeev shukla talks[4] like Dig vijaya Singh, as says “action will be taken against the three”. Barely a few hours after an emergent meeting of the Board’s Working Committee, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla today reiterated that members were unanimous in their decision to take strong action against the players if they are found guilty in the spot-fixing scandal.
BCCI – emergency working committee meeting: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), at its emergency working committee meeting here in Chennai, on the wake of the spot-fixing scandal, also set up a panel to probe the scandal involving three Rajasthan Royals players –
- S Sreesanth,
- Ajit Chandila and
- Ankeet Chavan – who were arrested in Mumbai late Wednesday (15-05-2013)
by Delhi Police. The police have also nabbed twelve bookies so far. Among those attending the working committee meeting were –
- Ravi Shastri, former India captain (BCCI technical committee representative)
- Sanjay Jagdale, the board secretary
- Rajeev Shukla, IPL chairman
- Arun Jaitley, IPL governing council member and
- Anil Kumble, former India leg-spinner joined through video conference.
The entire proceedings went on just like Sonia Congress party and the decisions have also been on expected lines. Just like Parliament committee to enquire, here they themselves formed a committee to do so!
Inquiry committee appointed to inquire the allegations against the three arrested: As for the inquiry, Srinivasan said: “Ravi Sawani has been appointed as the commissioner to inquire into allegations against these players. His report will be submitted to the BCCI disciplinary committee in quick time. We won’t hesitate to act ruthlessly if the players are found guilty.” Srinivasan said a BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) official will accompany each team. This is just like Chidambaram heading the committee of ministers who discussed about the autonomy or independent working of CBI. “An ACSU official will travel with the team along with a security officer. Access to players will be monitored closely,” he said. Thus, one more posting has been created so that another retired player would come and enjoy life. Srinivasan said the education programme for players at the junior levels will be further intensified. “After incidents of the past, every domestic match is videographed. Now we will substantially intensify education programmes.” Now he talks about corruption also.
The anti-corruption units of the ICC (International Cricket Council) and BCCI have got certain limitations: The BCCI chief, however, conceded that the board was handicapped in corruption matters[5]. “The anti-corruption units of the ICC (International Cricket Council) and BCCI have got certain limitations[6]. They cannot gather information like police can. They can’t tap phones. They have got a lot of restrictions. All right, three players have indulged in something, but the education programme of the ICC as well as the BCCI has been successful in the fact that a lot of players have understood what they should be doing and what they should not be doing. We must look at how individuals have made a mistake. We cannot control every bookie in the town.” Thus, it is evident that BCCI would adopt the policy of “wait and see” to avoid further controversies[7].
Whether betting will be legalized in India: Whether the media persons asked this question wantonly or otherwise, he has been so happy about it, as could be noted, the way in which he responded. Asked about legalising betting in India, Srinivasan said: “Different arguments go on about legalising bettings. In other countries they have legalised, and it has helped. I don’t know about India, if it will work or not.” He also chose to thank the fans for turning up at stadiums despite the latest controversy. “For the last three-four days, there have been BCCI bashing and IPL bashing has taken place as if the whole world has fallen down. Only three players have allegedly done something. It doesn’t mean the whole IPL is bad. We are very grateful to the public that has sold out grounds despite the news.”
Against the backdrop of allegations of spot-fixing during IPL matches, Union Minister Ajay Maken today said the BCCI – the national governing body for cricket in India – should come under the ambit of the RTI Act. “BCCI should agree to come under RTI. Any organisation entrusted with job of selecting a National Team can not call itself a Private Body!,” Maken, who till recently held the Sports portfolio, twitted[8].
BCCI should come under the ambit of RTI: Maken, who holds Housing portfolio at present, said the Centre has already taken a stand before Central Information Commission (CIC) that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should be under the ambit of the Information law[9]. During his stint in the Sports Ministry, Maken had tried to bring transparency in sports bodies through the Sports Bill. But following divergent views within the Union Cabinet, he was asked to redraft certain provisions. In December, 2011 the Sports Ministry had informed the CIC that there are “just and reasonable grounds” for bringing BCCI under the ambit of the Right to Information Act.
Funding of BCCI, concessions given and tax compilation: In a seven-page written statement submitted before the CIC, the Sports Ministry had said although there is no direct funding of the BCCI, it gets “substantial indirect funding” from the government in the form of revenue forgo like “concessions in income tax, customs duty, etc” and land at concessional rates for stadiums. The Ministry also said BCCI is performing the functions “akin” to State and ‘public duties’ by selecting national teams and representing India in international events. According to section 2(h) of RTI Act, even a non-government organisation comes under the ambit of the transparency law if it is substantially financed, “directly or indirectly” by funds provided by the appropriate government.
IPL will always be a perfect staging ground for corruption: Ed Hawkins[10] pointed out that the Indian Premier League is unique in world cricket. No other domestic tournament can boast the superstar players, Bollywood braggadocio, dancing girls, television audiences or, of course, matches which so consistently swing thrillingly in favour from one team to the other. It is also probably the most corrupt. Since the IPL’s inception in 2008 it has been a tournament which has had a reputation among players, administrators and betting experts for being rigged for the benefit of the bookmakers and punters who seek out the greedy, the impressionable and, depressingly, the wily who know that there is no law against match-fixing in India. Lalit Modi, the tournament’s first commissioner, admits that was a mistake and although the game’s watchdog has proved to be ineffective, the die had been cast.When speaking with bookmakers and punters from India, they insist that each season is rigged from ball one. One source told me that ‘all matches are fixed’.
Modi the threatening factor in both cases: The corruption of the cricket has made others to forget the corruption of the Congress. Decadence does not worry about other decadence, as long as money comes out of such decadence[11]. Incidentally, the Modi factor has been threatening in both cases. Modi was confronting with Srinivasan and thus, he could always avoid all questions about the corruption of BCCI. Sonia and co. Can also get away with anything pointing to Modi. If Sonia & Co. Talks about 2002, then BCCI would talk about 2008 and Modi. While Modi was not liked by the US and EU, this Modi has been there only. Whether the state of Modi has any development model or not, the Modi-model of IPL has fertile ground for development, as now the talk of legalization of “betting” has started! Soon the media pick up and there would be debates carried on in TV channels. Obviously ND-TV or CNN-IBN might take a lead.
[1] http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ipl-has-spurred-a-gambling-and-sex-racket-sena/article4725094.ece
[3] http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ipl-has-not-let-down-people-dirty-cricketers-have-says-srinivasan/392543-3.html
[5] http://www.thehindu.com/sport/ipl2013/ipl-spotfixing-bcci-moots-steps-to-check-corruption/article4729898.ece
[6] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/spot-fixing-hits-ipl-6/news/BCCI-sets-up-probe-panel-wants-players-agents-accredited/articleshow/20136005.cms
[7] http://www.livemint.com/Politics/flxIdv9QY2l6HKA4ecL6cL/Rajasthan-Royals-to-file-FIR-against-players-BCCI-awaits-in.html
[8] His Twitter account clarifies that the Union minister’s tweets are personal.
[9] http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bcci-should-agree-to-come-under-rti-maken-113051900460_1.html
