HCA CEO appointment illegal, says former secretary John Manoj

HYDERABAD: Even though the

Hyderabad Cricket Association

(HCA) officials claim that they are following the Justice (retd) RM Lodha Committee recommendations in toto, several violations of the same have been highlighted over the last few months.


Bringing to light the violations regarding the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), former secretary K

John Manoj

on Thursday dashed off a letter to HCA secretary T Shesh Narayan asking the latter to forward the complaint to Ombudsman Justice (retd) L Narasimha Reddy for further action.

John has also sent the complaint to BCCI CoA Vinod Rai with copies to HCA administrators Justice (retd) Anil R Dave and Justice (retd) GV Seethapathy, BCCI president

CK Khanna

, secretary

Amitabh Choudhary

, CEO

Rahul Johri

and General Manager Prof Ratnakar Shetty.

John Manoj, in his complaint, said the appointment of the CEO (Dr C Panduranga Murthy) in the HCA is 'wholly illegal and violate of the

Justice Lodha Committee

recommendations.'

"As you are well aware, the appointment of a CEO has been clearly spelt out in the Justice Lodha Committee Report on reforms in Cricket. Chapter V - Rule 23 is herewith extracted for your ready reference:

"RULE 23 - Sub-Clause 1 - The day-to-day management of the affairs of the BCCI shall vest in a full time CEO to be appointed by the Apex Council, who shall be a Management Professional with management experience of at least 5 years as CEO/MD of a Company with a turnover of at least Rs.100 crores

"RULE 23 - Sub Clause 3 - The eligibility criteria of a CEO and Managers shall be laid down by the Apex Council keeping in mind the following guidelines :

(a) Knowledge and familiarity with cricket or other sports;

(b) Understanding of financial position and fiscal direction of the BCCI;

(c) Knowledge of operations of cricket administration and overall policy;

(d) Clarity on role, division of responsibilities and hierarchy;

(e) Familiarity with regulatory and legal responsibilities as well as attendant risks;

(f) There shall be an appropriate induction process laid down for the CEO and the Managers, which shall include a fair and transparent process of appointment," the complaint says.

"I am not against anyone. My interest lies in the HCA officials following the norms laid down in the Lodha recommendations. Unfortunately, none of the above has been followed in the appointment of the CEO," John Manoj told TOI on Thursday evening.

John Manoj also alleged that the present CEO was in the employment of the M/s Visaka Industries Limited before his appointment to the HCA.

"The officials claim to be doing everything according to the norms but in reality they are violating all terms and conditions. The appointment has to be approved by the General Body but it was not done. The Apex Council cannot take such decisions as it is not a complete body. I want the CoA, BCCI and others to know that things are not transparent in the HCA management. There is complete chaos and confusion as the CEO doesn't know anything about cricket or cricket management," John added.