'Discrepancies in tenders, no updates’: Congress Bhongir MP files complaint against HCA’s functioning

Hyderabad: Congress Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy has filed a complaint with the additional director general (ADG), Vigilance Department regarding the ongoing issues at the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) including a tender process for catering and transportation services etc.

In his complaint, Kiran Kumar Reddy said that it has come to his notice that the management is making arbitrary decisions, and bypassing necessary procedures, which has affected the functioning of the association. It is necessary to report these concerns and appeal for a formal investigation. Here are the issues raised in the complaint:

Imbalance of authority and governance

The MP said that a critical concern is the concentration of decision-making powers in the hands of a few individuals, particularly the president and secretary, without proper consultation with the Apex Council. The Powers and Functions of the Apex Council, as per Rule 14(1), state that the governance of the HCA should be conducted through collective decision-making by the Apex Council.

Additionally, Rule 15(1)(iv) clearly states that there should be a distribution and balance of authority to prevent any single individual from having unfettered control. Recent decisions such as the issuance of the AGM circular in February prior to the scheduled Apex Council meeting on February 15, and the award of IPL contracts without tender have been taken without Apex Council approval, violating the association’s bye-laws and disrupting the balance of authority, he said.

Tender process dispute for catering and transportation services

“I am compelled to bring to your notice the discrepancies in the tendering process for catering and transportation services. These services, crucial for the smooth operation of HCA matches and events, have reportedly been awarded without adhering to proper procedures. No tenders were called for, and contracts were directly handed out without the knowledge or approval of the Apex Council. This lack of transparency in the procurement process is deeply concerning and requires immediate investigation. It is essential that all tenders follow due process to ensure fairness and accountability within the HCA,” Kiran Kumar said.

Lack of updates from CEO

Kiran Kumar Reddy further said that the CEO has failed to provide regular updates on the day-to-day affairs of the HCA, as required under Rule 24(21) and Rule 24(27), which obligate the CEO to report to the Apex Council on the functioning of management and progress. Furthermore, Rule 15(3) states that the Apex Council has superintendence over the CEO’s duties, yet no updates or financial statements have been shared with Apex members. This lack of communication has led to confusion and mistrust among the members, he added.

Failure to circulate meeting minutes

Despite the fact that more than six months have passed since the first Apex Council meeting, no minutes have been circulated for approval or review. Rule 7(3)(a) mandates the Secretary to keep and maintain the minutes of Apex Council meetings, yet this has not occurred. The absence of confirmed minutes has delayed the implementation of decisions, raising serious concerns about Governance, the MP said.

Financial irregularities and auditor recommendations

Rule 7(5)(e) obligates the treasurer to present the annual balance sheet, statement of accounts, and annual budget before the Apex Council. However, these financial reports were not placed before the Apex Council for review. Additionally, the Statutory Auditors' recommendations have not been implemented, even though the AGM has been called without addressing these financial irregularities. There is also a lack of transparency regarding income and expenditure, with Apex Council members being kept in the dark about financial matters, Kiran Kumar Reddy said.

Implementation of AGM decisions and legal matters

The MP also said that the minutes of the AGM have not been circulated to the Apex Council, yet they were submitted to the Supreme Court without Apex Council approval. There have also been no follow-ups on legal cases discussed in the Apex Council meetings, leaving the members uninformed about the status of these cases. Rule 8(4) requires the minutes of the AGM to be circulated within two months, but this has not been done.

Other critical issues

“Turf wicket preparation for Mahabubnagar and Nizamabad districts has been delayed despite prior discussions. Multi-level parking at the HCA stadium is urgently needed to address congestion during matches and improve security. The CEO’s neutrality is in question, as he seems to favour only a few members, contrary to the expectations of impartial governance. Hence, I appeal for an investigation into these matters and take appropriate steps to restore the integrity of the HCA,” the MP said.