Bring BCCI under RTI, says law panel

New Delhi: The Law Commission of India has recommended that the cricket control board should be brought under the ambit of the RTI Act, noting that it falls under the definition of a public authority which has received substantial financing from governments. The panel has also said non-consideration of the role played by the BCCI as “monopolistic” in regulation of the game of cricket has resulted in the board “flying under the radar of public scrutiny, encouraged an environment of opacity and non-accountability”.

The report, submitted to the law ministry on Wedne-sday, said the BCCI ought to be classified as a ‘state’ within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution. However, the recommendations of the panel are not binding on the government.  In July 2016, the Supreme Court had asked the commission to recommend whether the cricket board can be brought under the RTI Act.

It said though the BCCI is continued to be regarded as a “private body”, owing to its “monopolistic character coupled with the public nature of its functions, it can still be termed as a ‘public authority’ and be brought within the purview of the RTI Act.

It pointed out that BCCI has received “substantial financing” from appropriate governments in the form of tax exemptions and land grants.