BCCI should ensure transparency in DDCA: Justice Mukul Mudgal in a scathing report

New Delhi: Justice Mukul Mudgal, who was appointed observer to oversee the conduct of the 2016 T2O world cup early this year, today pointed out various deficiencies in DDCA and observed that BCCI being the parent body has to ensure that the Delhi cricketing body is “transparent in its functioning”. The 27-page report, submitted by retired Justice Mudgal before a Delhi High Court bench of justices S Muralidhar and Nazmi Waziri, said several complaints were received regarding selection process of players during his tenure at the DDCA, which required “investigation”. [caption id=“attachment_2635036” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Justice Mudgal. Screengrab[/caption] He further stated the internal audit of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) in its last report had pointed out that there were pending bills of Rs 3.63 crore as on December 31, 2015. Justice Mudgal, however, recommended that the current state of affairs in the DDCA required scrutiny of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) besides strengthening of its “accounts wings”. “Internal Audit has pointed out various deficiencies in maintenance of accounts, record keeping, systems and procedures, internal controls, information system and also payments made to various parties which are not in compliance with financial manual,” the report said. While pointing out that no proper records were maintained at DDCA, he said that its administration department did not even have records of players representing Delhi. Justice Mudgal, however, said that during T20 world cup, the DDCA was able to save about Rs seven crore as per provisional income and expenditure accounts, including Rs 45 lakh contributed to Delhi police martyr fund. “It is advisable that the said amount is utilised for improving the stadium facilities and cricket facilities under the supervision of an independent financial expert of credible reputation with assistance of a specialised dedicated team of DDCA officials constituted by BCCI,” the report said, adding that it will “help Feroz Shah Kotla regaining the international standards it had”. The court asked DDCA not to spend the entire Rs seven crore and place before the bench the accounts of the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches held at the stadium, once they are finalised. DDCA assured the court that the Rs seven crore would be spent strictly as per BCCI guidelines and would be fully accounted for. It also assured the court that a substantial portion of the amount would not be spent till the next date of hearing on August 22. The High Court on November 18 last year had paved the way for DDCA to hold the 4th India-South Africa test match and appointed Justice Mudgal to oversee the affairs of the match after the cricketing body had moved against denial of permission by the South MCD to hold the match. Justice Mudgal also said that office bearers, executive committee members and the sports working committee members of DDCA should be concerned for improving the cricket facilities in the city of Delhi. “It is advisable that DDCA has a full time Chief Executive Officer, who independently looks after the administration and financial aspects of DDCA to ensure continuity and smooth functioning of DDCa. BCCI as the parent body must ensure that DDCA is transparent in its functioning as it is public body responsible for promoting cricket in Delhi,” the report said. The report pointed to deficiencies in tendering, accounts and finance, administration, promotion of cricket and selection of players, ticketing and accreditation and suggested various measures to bring down this shortcomings. The retired judge had headed the Supreme Court-appointed panel to inquire into the allegations of corruption against former BCCI chief N Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, India Cements, and others and charges of betting and spot-fixing in the 2013 IPL matches.