Ex prez Narvekar among joint holders of GCA's Federal Bank account opened to deposit BCCI funds in 2008
The GCA vice-president denies embezzlement of Rs 5.87cr BCCI funds while stating that the State cricket association does not require any 'outsider' as administrator to manage GCA affairs
The Goan Network
Panaji
GCA vice-president, Dr Venkatesh Prabhudessai on Thursday termed as "baseless" the recent allegations made by former Goa Ranji cricketer Nilesh Prabhudesai who had revealed that the GCA was involved in an embezzlement of the BCCI funds amounting to a whopping Rs 5.87 crore.
"The claims and allegations made by Nilesh Prabhudesai are baseless," the GCA vice-president categorically stated while briefing media persons at the GCA headquarters in Porvorim.
Former cricketer Nilesh had alleged that the said funds allocated to GCA were paid by BCCI vide Cheque No. 100300 dated 31.03.2008 and did not reflect in the Balance Sheet of Goa Cricket Association.
While denying that the GCA did not involve itself in any such embezzlement, Dr Venkatesh countered by providing photocopies of the statement of bank account which were audited and accounted for the accounting year 2008-09 (31-03-2008 to 17-12-2008).
He also claimed that they were verified with the BCCI. “BCCI has passed an entry on 31st March. It is clear that the State Cricket Associations accountability on the BCCI books should be on 31st March. But for it to reach here, prepare the cheque, it takes time because of the delay that takes place with the postal service. And by the time we deposit it, we get affected, and hence the credit shows as on 30th April of that particular financial year,” Prabhudessai explained.
GCA Member, Sayed Abdul Majid further stated that it is most likely that the person who has passed on the information to the ex Goa Ranji cricketer has not done a proper study. He vehemently stated that the informant should go to a Chartered Accountant and learn how a Balance Sheet should be accounted for.
Majid further said that just because their three office bearers (Chetan Desai, Vinod Phadke and Akbar Mulla) were booked for something, there should not be cases after cases heaped onto them that they are corrupt, which also implies that the whole of GCA is corrupt. He said that whatever is going on is untrue and fabricated.
Incidentally, on the hard copy of the bank statement in possession of The Goan Everyday, it is clearly mentioned that the Rs 5,87,22,055 cheque, bearing No. 100300 was deposited at the Federal Bank, Panjim under the name of M/S Goa Cricket Association with the Joint Holders being Dayanand Narvekar, Chetan Desai and Vinod Phadke mentioning GCA's previous headquarters as Rizvi Sadan, near Municipal Market, Panjim with the amount in the BCCI books on 31.03.08; but the actual cheque was credited only on 30.04.08.
Dr Venkatesh stated that if the police do not take cognizance of this, they
will accordingly follow the legal process to take suitable action against the complainant,Nilesh Prabhudessai.
Asked if with the controversies embroiling within the GCA, their functioning has taken a hit, Dr Venkatesh refuted to this, saying: "Our day-to-day functioning is looked after by our three vice presidents (himself, Manohar and Suraj), our two joint secretaries and all the other GCA members as and where required. We have different committees formed for different tourneys for the future. We keep the parent body, BCCI informed on a day to day basis."
Replying to the claims for an administrator to be appointed by the BCCI in the interim period until the GCA imbroglio is cleared, Dr Venkatesh revealed that as far as his knowledge goes the appointment of an administrator is not possible by law or rule. “We have communicated to BCCI not regarding the administrator, but on our functioning. And we are hopeful that they do not interfere. We have a strong solidarity with more than 80 clubs with us,” stated Dr Venkatesh."The GCA does not require anyone coming from outside to manage their system," stated Sayed Abdul Majid.
Others who were at the press briefing were GCA Jt Secys Jamir Carol, Desh Kinlekar, and GCA vice president, Manohar Naik.
BOX
Bank statement lacks seal
A copy of the bank statement provided to the media claiming there was no embezzlement of funds amounting to Rs 5.87 crore by GCA for the financial year 2008-09, lacked an authorized signatory or seal.
When contacted, GCA vice president, Dr Venkatesh Prabhudessai stated that it was the first page of the bank statement and to procure the required information, one would have to apply for the same. And the same could be obtained through RTI. When probed whether the copy provided to media was genuine as it lacked a seal or signature of an authorised person, senior GCA official and Jt-Secy Jamir Carol feigned ignorance stating that he has not seen the copy and that the GCA vice president, Dr Venkatesh was the right person to comment on it.
