Dalmiya seeks explanation on TV rights, Challenger money

Kolkata, Mar 10 (UNI) BCCI's administrative mud-slinging took a new turn today as former president Jagmohan Dalmiya termed the latest allegations against him as 'childish and preposterous' and raised questions regarding the unexplained accounts of the last Challengers' Trophy, besides the loss incurred in the TV rights deal.

In response to the tirade against him, Mr Dalmiya today said, ''Mr Bindra is an honorable man. But he has till date not furnished the accounts of the Challenger Trophy tournament to the Board that was conducted by Punjab Cricket Association in October 2005. The revenue generated from this tournament has not come to the Board. Perhaps a pertinent question would be where has it gone?'' With regard to Mr Bindra's allegation that Rs 26 lakhs was shown as miscellaneous expenses for the tournament played in Holland in August 2004, Mr Dalmiya stated that an amount of Rs 25,15,152.53 was shown an miscellaneous expenses, out of which Rs 23,25,211.00 was paid to the Holland Cricket Board (HCB) as participation fees.

The balance aamount was for administrative expenses, travelling expensess and the like.

''These accounts are already available with the Board and it appears that the BCCI mandarins do not bother to go through the records before hurling baseless allegations'', he said.

Mr Dalmiya, while addressing the press here, said, ''The level of transparency is evident from the fact that the current regime is closing the matter related to the loss of Rs 82 crore in the TV rights deal raised by me stating that the bidders are happy and they had no problems.'' ''If they have problems in replying to my queries they can put up the original tender papers on the net or even involve internationally renowned chartered farms like McKinsey and Pricewater House to decide what I have pointed out is wrong or right,'' he said.

''The CAB has furnished documents to prove that the Board should have got another Rs 82 crores. Instead of providing evasive answers like the Board has made Rs 3000 crores and the bidding process was transparent they should come out with something concrete. Besides, who has given the right to the board to give a concession of Rs 82 crore even if it has earned a lot?'', the Cricket Association of Bengal President said.

Mr Dalmiya once again called upon the BCCI to provide a copy of the tender document, the agreement with Nimbus Communications, the security deposit and the bank gurantee furnished by Nimbus.

''It is a legal right for all affiliated units to ask for these documents and we are exercising the right'', he said.

Regarding the fresh allegations levelled at him, he called it ''childish and preposterous''.

EDS: Please pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI BA KK AY KN2046