Jagmohan Dalmiya bats for declaration of interests by BCCI officials

Kolkata, July 24 - Asserting that declaration of interest by cricket administrators was essential to ensure transparency, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Friday said a comprehensive code of conduct is in the offing.

"The purpose of declaration of interest is to reaffirm the principle of transparency and that the members address every issue of financial dealings of the BCCI without any personal or financial interest directly or indirectly, which may be seen to be vested interest or an obstacle to just and bona fide acts in the interest of the game," Dalmiya said in a press statement.

"I personally feel that the concept of appropriate declarations not merely by BCCI officials but also of the State Associations must be revived in larger interests of transparency, evenhandedness and impartiality. This would ensure that the reputation and integrity of the board are secured," said Dalmiya.

The veteran administrator said that the BCCI had initiated a similar process in 2005 to "ensure that administrators and officials refrain from anything that could be harmful to BCCI's aims and objectives".

Dalmiya also asserted the BCCI was concerned and determined to safeguard its integrity.

"The BCCI is concerned and determined to safeguard its integrity. Therefore, an introduction of a comprehensive code of conduct/ethics by BCCI that determines and defines the most important core values for behavior and conduct within BCCI as well as with external parties to ensure that administrators and officials are aware of the importance of their duties and associated obligations and responsibilities could also be a possibility in the near future," added Dalmiya.

Dalmiya's assertions come in the wake of the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha Committee suspending Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL for two years for the 2013 IPL spot fixing and betting scandal.

(IANS)