How Syndicate Bank became a club

PTI

AAP leaders Ashutosh and Saurabh Bhardwaj display documents during a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Wednesday struggled to counter the allegations from BJP Member of Parliament Kirti Azad regarding the Syndicate Bank being converted into a private club in order to continue its participation in the local cricket league.

“The club has been restored to the bank,” claimed DDCA acting president Chetan Chauhan at a press conference here.

Supporting Mr. Chauhan’s assertions, DDCA Sports Secretary Sunil Dev said, “In 2005, Bhola Shankar, an employee of the Syndicate Bank, decided not to field a team. But he wanted the team to continue its participation in the DDCA League and he got the required permission to that effect from his employers.”

Mr. Dev also produced a letter written by the bank to Bhola Shankar. The letter, dated 2 November 2005 and signed by the Assistant General Manager of the bank, stated, “We wish to inform you that the Competent Authority has permitted your cricket team to play under the banner of Syndicate Bank Employees Club on the following conditions: The club shall not admit any non-employees as member of the club, except children of the employees in service. No benefits, as applicable to sportspersons of the bank, shall be applicable to you since your club shall be a private club.”

A DDCA club official, however, countered the claims. Bhola Shankar, the official alleged, had applied for permission to play under the banner of Syndicate Cricket Club or Syndicate Employees Club. According to DDCA insiders, the team participated as Syndicate Cricket Club and an account was allegedly opened in that name. “The club miraculously managed to retain its original position and has been participating in the league under the banner of the Syndicate Bank,” said the club official.

The official also alleged that an account in the name of the Syndicate Cricket Club was opened in another branch of the Syndicate Bank and the club subsidy was also given by the DDCA and was encashed through the account.

“The club subsidy by DDCA is only given to private clubs and not to institutions. Only private clubs are allowed to change the name,” the official added. The going price for buying a DDCA-affiliated club is reportedly Rs. 1.25 crore.

The affiliation fee for a private club is Rs. 812 and an institution needs to shell out Rs. 5,500 annually. “It is impossible for this discrepancy in affiliation fee payment to escape the notice of the DDCA authorities,” the official emphasised.

DDCA Scam

• What - The AAP alleged huge financial irregularities in DDCA during Arun Jaitley’s 13 year-old tenure as its chief, saying large amounts were siphoned off through fake companies besides other irregularities including in team selection.
• When - BJP MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad had earlier in 2014 alleged irregularities in the functioning of DDCA. The Delhi government had set up a committee to inquire the alleged DDCA scam after they received several complaints.
• Who - The AAP is demanding an investigation against Mr. Jaitley and other office-bearers of the DDCA. Mr. Jaitley was the patron-in-chief of the DDCA until December 2014.
• Then - Delhi's ruling party alleged that the CBI raid on Arvind Kejriwal's top officer Rajendra Kumar was linked to a DDCA file in the Chief Minister's office.