‘The RTI is an act, and under the act to whom it applies it is defined’
‘The decision on playing the India-Pakistan series does not depend on the two Boards alone, the governments of the two countries are also involved’
Board of Control for Cricket in India’s new president Shashank Manohar on Sunday says the Board does not fall under the purview of the Right to Information Act (RTI).
After taking over for the second time as the BCCI chief, Manohar gave a detailed explanation as they the RTI is applicable to the Indian Cricket Board.
Replying to a query if RTI is applicable to BCCI, he said: “Not at all, because the law cannot apply for one institution. The RTI is an act, and under the act to whom it applies it is defined. There are two contingencies where the act would apply but if the government amends the law I got nothing to say.”
“But as on this day as the law exists, it applies only to state government, institutions which are controlled by the states, either Central or State, or who are substantially aided by the government. Now we don’t fall in either of the category so therefore RTI cannot be made applicable to us just because people feel that RTI should be made applicable to us. If the government amends the law and decides to make it applicable, then fine, we have no difficulty. But we should not be singled out and said that it should be applied to the Board,” he added.
The BCCI boss also made his stand clear on the Decision Review System, saying there is still a big doubt with regards to the LBW decisions.
“I have a consistent stand on DRS even today. As far as DRS is concerned I am agreeable to everything except the leg before decisions because you are substituting the opinion of the third umpire in place of the main umpire, even the camera angle can make a difference with regards to the angle of the delivery. All other things I am agreeable for DRS but not LBW and this I had stated at the ICC meeting and since 2010 I have been saying it,” he stated.
On the proposed Pakistan vs India series scheduled in December, Manohar claimed the final decision lies in the hands of the two Governments.
“The decision on playing the India-Pakistan series does not depend on the two Boards alone, the governments of the two countries are also involved. That is why we will have to talk to each other and take a final decision,” he said.
Manohar also had kind words for his predecessor Narayanswami Srinivasan, who was the secretary during his tenure as BCCI chief.
“I can tell you with 100 per cent that Srinivasan was an excellent secretary. He was better than most of the secretaries I have seen in this Board. After I left the Board in 2011, I don’t know what happened in day to day things, I was not in touch. Srinivasan is by far the best secretary I can say after Mr (Jagmohan) Dalmiya,” he claimed.
He pointed out that any decision on Srinivasan including continuing him as the ICC chairman depends on the members and will only be taken the Annual General Meeting of the Board.
“As far as Srinivasan is concerned I have no stand because if attends the Board meetings, he would be dealt like any other member of the Board. And whatever decision is to be taken, it will be taken at the (AGM) meeting,” he stated.
Rediff Recommends:
Why Shashank Manohar is the right choice for BCCI...
