Kolkata: Former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by the Saurashtra Cricket Association, but he is yet to accept the role. The 73 year old had eariler served as the secretary of the SCA for over four decades before becoming ineligible to continue his role by the Lodha recommendations of the Supreme Court.
In a meeting of the governing body on May 27, joint secretary Madhukar Worah, confirmed that Shah has been appointed as the CEO of the SCA.
According to a report in Indian Express, the report of the meeting read, “Shri Madhukar Worah informed the governing body, after requesting Mr Niranjan Shah to leave the meeting, as confirmed in earlier Governing Body meeting and Annual General Meeting, appointment of Mr Niranjan Shah as the chief executive. Mr Worah informed the governing body that Mr Niranjan Shah shall inform in due course feasible date to join as Chief Executive.”
Such steps were taken by the SCA keeping “Larger interest of the state association in mind,” and the post of the chief executive has been created “on employment basis” to fill the void left behind by the Lodha reforms.
However, Niranjan Shah has not yet accepted the offer, but hasn’t ruled out the possibility of doing so either. He was quoted as saying, “This is an option as per the SCA constitution but I haven’t accepted it at the moment. In the subsequent Governing Body meetings (after May 27) I have informed the house that I haven’t decided. But no court order prevents me from accepting the post.”
Shah, who had been instrumental in the rise of Saurashtra as a cricketing power house, had resigned from his post on the 4th of January earlier this year, after the Supreme Court had asked Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke to vacate their offices from the BCCI.
He also informed that his appointment will not go against the Lodha reforms.
“I don’t think so. Even if you see the Lodha Committee FAQs, there’s no bar. CEOs at many big companies are all above 70. So what! This also you see as a company,” he said keeping in mind that the Lodha recommendations clearly bars anyone at the age of 70 or above and who has been in office for over nine years, from holding a post at any state cricket associations or the BCCI itself.
Eariler, both Niranjan Shah and N Srinivasan were sent legal notices for attending the BCCI’s SGM meeting in july, despite being disqualified.
While, Shah hasn’t yet accepted the role, it is expected to be included in the next report of the Committee of Administrators, if he does so. It then will be submitted to the Supreme Court to seek direction into the matter.