Dalmiya says he has no financial interest in board matters

Jagmohan Dalmiya has declared that he has no financial interests in matters regarding sponsorships and TV rights. In a letter addressed to Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the president of the Indian board, Dalmiya confirmed that he had neither financial nor other interest in certain matters of the board, and said he was solely concerned with promoting the game at both national and international level. Dalmiya's statements came on the eve of the board's working-committee meeting, where several crucial decisions - including the venues for the Pakistan tour and the telecast-rights issue - will be discussed.

The letter will be circulated to all the board members during the working-committee meeting, according to the Times of India. Part of it states: "I hereby declare and confirm that I neither had nor have any financial or other interest, in subject matters relating to sponsorships, including TV rights, direct or indirect, while serving the BCCI, and in my endeavours to promote the game of cricket nationally or internationally."

Dalmiya also urged all the other office-bearers of the board to hand in similar declarations, in order to eliminate doubts about their probity. "In order that the undertaking commands the confidence of the cricketing fraternity and right-thinking members of society," Dalmiya added, "I request all the honourable persons representing the members of the board as well as past and present office-bearers to give a similar declaration/undertaking.

"I believe that the high ground that we occupy in relation to our governance of the game demands that we are transparent in financial dealings arising out of any sponsorship issue, including grant of television rights at a time when unwarranted campaigns are becoming the order of the day."