Mahendra denies charges

CHANDIGARH, May 13: Ranbir Singh Mahendra, secretary of the Haryana Cricket Association, strongly denied the allegations of Kapil Dev and a ...

CHANDIGARH, May 13: Ranbir Singh Mahendra, secretary of the Haryana Cricket Association, strongly denied the allegations of Kapil Dev and a few office-bearers of the state units who attended the meeting here today, that most life members of the HCA are his relatives. 8220;No life member is my relative,8221; said Ranbir Singh in a telephonic conversation from Bhiwani with this correspondent.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting here today, Kapil Dev had alleged that 8220;most of the life members are the relatives of the HCA secretary, having no knowledge of cricket but vested with the voting rights.8221;

The HCA secretary categorically denied that accounts were not being circulated to the members before the annual general body meeting. Ranbir Singh, former secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said 8220;the duly audited accounts statement is circulated to all affiliated units.

The HCA is exempted from income tax. Therefore I file income and expenditure statement to the Income Tax Department on behalf of the association every year. Even a copy of the accounts statement is sent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The HCA is functioning in a most democratic manner.8221;

8220;If my functioning is not transparent for the last one decade, why were they sleeping over the matter for such a long time,8221; wondered Ranbir Singh. Ravinder Chadha and Sarkar Talwar were also party to all the decisions taken in the meetings.

Contrary to the statement of Kapil Dev and HCA joint secretary Ravinder Chadha, Ranbir Singh said 8220;the HCA had requested the then BCCI president Inderjit Singh Bindra to allot a World Cup match to Faridabad. I strongly refute the charge that I had requested the BCCI not to allot a World Cup match to Haryana.8221; The HCA secretary said the facts may be verified from PCA president Inderjit Singh Bindra.

Regarding the shifting of the Australia-Zimbabwe match to Delhi as the HCA secretary had allegedly shown lack of interest, Ranbir Singh said 8220;I had issued a statement immediately after learning that the match had been shifted from Faridabad. I had termed it as a hasty decision and injustice was done to Haryana by depriving it from hosting an international match.8221; 8220;Ashok Malhtora and Chetan Sharma had sought transfer to Bengal from Haryana. However, by the time they wanted to come back to their parent state, all seats were filled up. It would have been better had they asked the Bengal Cricket Association to allow them to play for other states,8221; clarified Ranbir Singh. 8220;It is not a circus or musical chair race,8221; said the HCA secretary.

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Ranbir Singh advised the members to discuss the issues in the meeting. 8220;I am open to suggestions. I was duly elected secretary and as long as the affiliated units wish I will continue to discharge my duties,8221; said the HCA secretary.

He clarified that Haryana State Electricity Board has been disaffiliated as it has not paid annual fee for many years. Panchkula and Yamunanagar district cricket associations are not affiliated to the HCA.

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