Dalmiya calls for early govt. decision on tours

Board of Control for Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Thursday said resumption of cricket ties with Pakistan is 'not an insurmountable problem' and requested the government to decide about India's participation in tournaments at least two months in advance to avoid embarrassment over last minute withdrawal.

On return from Gwalior after attending the funeral of senior Congress leader and predecessor Madhavrao Scindia, Dalmiya told reporters in Delhi that henceforth the BCCI would send its proposal for clearance of tours well in advance so that the government can make its decision early.

"It is the government's prerogative to allow or deny the Indian team participation in any tournament and the cricket board would abide by its decision," Dalmiya said to a question on the resumption of cricket ties with Pakistan.

"But it would be a lot better if the government informs us at least two months ahead of the tournament. It will save the country a lot of embarassment. Also, the losses to the hosts, like money from sponsorship rights and sale of tickets, which happen due to a last-minute withdrawal can be saved upon," he said.

"We have also decided to send in our proposal for clearance of a tour well in advance for the government to decide early," he added.

The Indian government refused to allow its cricket team to play with Pakistan after the 1999 Kargil war and recently pulled out of the Asian Test Championship, which featured an India-Pakistan match in Lahore.

Dalmiya reiterated that the BCCI is not reconsidering the gradation system of payments to domestic and international cricketers and said the postponement of its implementation is only because finer details of the plan are being worked out.

"There are absolutely no second thoughts on the gradation system. It has already been approved by the Working Committee. But it could not be allowed to come into effect from October 1, as decided earlier, because certain details of the system have to be worked out," he said.

Similarly, the new format of the Ranji Trophy will come into effect from 2003 and not next year as the teams were not aware of it in advance, he said.

"Based on the performance of the teams in the next season, the two-tier format would be implemented from 2003."

Dalmiya said the board will take all steps to ensure that all members of the Indian team play in domestic tournaments.

"We would like to see them in maximum possible domestic tournaments. But we also have to be rational and cannot afford to overwork them," he said.

On the controversy regarding the recognition of the Bihar Cricket Association following the creation of Jharkhand, Dalmiya said the board has already appointed a committee to oversee the activities in both states till they get affiliation, latest by February 28 next year.

"There is no politics, no hidden agenda (in the appointment of the committee)," he said, referring to BCA president Laloo Prasad Yadav's allegation that there is a move to oust him from cricket administration in the state.

Mail Cricket Editor