Would like to see how BCCI spends its money: Maken

The BCCI is one of the most efficient sports bodies in the country but there would be a question mark over its functioning if the cricket board does not come under the Right to Information Act, Sports Minister Ajay Maken said, in New Delhi, on Monday.

Stating that the BCCI was being run by "public money", Maken urged the board to drop its opposition to the RTI Act for the sake of transparency.

"It's the public money the Cricket Board is getting, from the fans and sports lovers of the country. We don't want to see their yearly financial accounts and like that, but any citizen of the country should have the right under the RTI Act to seek details of how the money is being spent by the BCCI," Maken said.

"I agree that the BCCI is one of the most efficient and well-run sports bodies in the country but until it comes under the RTI Act, there will always be a question mark in its functioning," he said.

Asked specifically about BCCI's rejection of the Sports Bill and the application of the RTI Act, Maken said, "There are 66 disciplines recognised by the Ministry and cricket is one of them. So, if RTI Act is to be applied, it will also cover cricket. It's about bringing transparency in the functioning of all sports federations and not cricket specific.

"I fully agree with what (former Indian cricket captain)Kapil Dev said that all the sports bodies in the country should support the Sports Bill," he said.