HCA faces criticism after abrupt changes in amendment panel

Former HCA Secretary S Venkateswaran has questioned the Hyderabad Cricket Association after being removed from the bye-laws amendment panel without reason. He wrote to Justice P Naveen Rao, highlighting lack of transparency as HCA now seeks suggestions for amendments

Hyderabad: It can happen only in Hyderabad Cricket Association? Yes, it seems so!

On September 17, Hyderabad Cricket Association named a nine-member panel on the Rules and Regulations/Bye-laws Amendment Committee with immediate effect, with Dr K Anil Kumar as chairman. The panel included former HCA Secretary and one of the cleanest administrators ever, S Venkateswaran.

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But within a few days, both of them were removed from the panel without reason. Ironically, they came to know only when they realised that they were not invited to the meetings of the panel.

This is strange, perhaps reflecting how the HCA functions even as senior officials boast of transparency and the efforts they put in to ensure a clean image.

With no remedial measures in action, Venkateswaran wrote a letter to High Court-appointed Justice P Naveen Rao, copy marked to the entire top brass of HCA, expressing displeasure at the way he was treated.

“I am writing to express my concern regarding the sub-committee constituted to make amendments to the existing bye-laws/constitution of our association,” Venkateswaran said in the letter dated December 17.

“I was a member of this sub-committee, as per the letter received from HCA, which is attached herewith. However, I have recently come to know that a couple of sub-committee meetings have taken place without my knowledge or notice,” he stated.

“I am shocked to learn that my name, along with others, has been removed without any reason or communication. I would like to bring to your notice that my name was proposed and accepted in the AGM, whereas others, including Dr Anil Kumar, who has self-appointed himself as chairman, were not proposed in the AGM,” Venkateswaran said.

“In the light of this, I request you to review the video recording of the AGM and reconstitute the committee with members who can contribute positively and work in the best interest of our association, without any ulterior motives,” the former HCA Secretary said.

When contacted, a senior Apex Council member of HCA confessed in a chat with Telangana Today that it was totally unwarranted. At the same time, he suggested that it could be because of fear among the HCA top brass that they would stand exposed, as Venkateswaran has vast experience in HCA administration for close to four decades and has always shown a no-nonsense approach in handling issues.

Meanwhile, the HCA has sent a WhatsApp message a couple of days ago to all affiliated members, stating that it is in the process of reviewing and amending the existing bye-laws and hence inviting all members to submit their suggestions or proposed amendments.