The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pays close to INR 3,000 crore to the government every year in the form of income tax, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia revealed on Friday, September 18.
Saikia’s disclosure challenges the widely held belief that the BCCI enjoys tax exemption. While several other sports bodies receive government grants, the BCCI, by contrast, pays nearly INR 3,000 crore on average annually — a point the board is using to argue its case for exemption under the National Sports Governance Act. The issue has sparked debate, with the Supreme Court of India recently seeking clarification from the Board on the matter.
However, Saikia clarified that the BCCI has no intention of circumventing the Act. “Regarding the Sports Act, our stand is very clear,” the BCCI secretary said. “There are a lot of things which have to be done by the concerned authority. Once those exercises are completed and once the BCCI comes under the Sports Act, a particular notification has to be issued to make it a designated sport.”
“Till that time, we are not supposed to do anything. Whenever that notification comes, immediately we will spring into action. We will do our job as per the rules of the new Sports Act. So, as of today, there is nothing like what was discussed in the Supreme Court that day. We will give the clarification on October 27, when the matter will be listed next time.”
Umpires’ Fee Increased; Promotion-Relegation System Introduced
In another significant move, the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting approved a revised payment structure for umpires and match referees, along with a reclassification of their grades. A dedicated committee will now evaluate umpires based on merit, with assignments — including for knockout and other key matches — determined accordingly. Umpires will be sorted into four grades: A, B, C and D.
“At the end of every season, there will be a system like relegation and upgradation. Those who will be doing good — 10 umpires will be upgraded to the next level. Those umpires who are at the upper level, if they are not performing up to that level or their specific level, they will be downgraded. Ten umpires will go up, 10 umpires will go down,” Saikia explained. “So, this will make them very alert throughout the season, and that will ultimately help the game of cricket, because some players’ future depends on the decision of the umpire.”
No Change to BGT Venues, For Now
Meanwhile, the BCCI dismissed speculation that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia would be shifted away from Ranchi. “When is the Ranchi Test? February (19). There are still six-seven months left. We will take a call (at the appropriate time). We do not have any such request or proposal that there is some issue regarding the Ranchi Test,” Saikia said, brushing aside reports suggesting a possible venue change.
Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Saurabh Tiwary echoed the sentiment, saying the association had made no such request to the BCCI. “There is no change in the venue. If anybody has to write to the BCCI about it, it should be me and I have not written it,” Tiwary told reporters.
The high-profile five-Test series is set to begin on January 21 in Nagpur, with Chennai, Guwahati and Ahmedabad hosting the remaining matches.
Other Key Decisions
Among the other major decisions taken at the AGM:
- Arun Singh Dhumal and M Khairul Jamal Majumdar were re-elected to the IPL Governing Council.
- The General Body unanimously decided to celebrate the upcoming 20th edition of the IPL in 2027 in a grand manner.
- The General Body has set in motion preparations for the BCCI’s centenary celebrations in 2028, to be marked through a year-long programme beginning in December 2027 and continuing through 2028 a landmark moment in the history of Indian cricket.
- The BCCI Age Verification Policy was updated and formally adopted.
- The General Body held discussions with State Units on measures to support differently-abled cricketers, including the provision of appropriate facilities and resources to aid their development and progress.
-
-
-
-
