By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 7: The Meghalaya Cricket Association’s (MCA) Financial Irregularities Report has attributed the prolonged delay in payment of salaries to staff and support personnel to an administrative deadlock involving the operation of the association’s bank accounts.
The report dismisses allegations that MCA president James P.K. Sangma was responsible for withholding payments, describing such claims as a “misinformation campaign” by individuals with vested interests.
According to the report, the issue was discussed during the 26th Apex Council meeting held on March 7, 2026, where members deliberated on the operation of the association’s bank accounts following allegations of financial irregularities and unauthorised expenditure.
The report states that the apex council agreed that the president and treasurer would serve as the permanent signatories for the MCA bank accounts. It further noted that no third person should exercise control over the accounts and that all expenditure must be routed through the apex council.
The minutes of the meeting were reportedly signed by all members present, including MCA president James P.K. Sangma, vice president Rajiv Bareh, honorary secretary Rayonald Kharkamni, honorary joint secretary Mebanphira Swer, treasurer Eddystone Shylla, apex council member Chuba R. Marak, AGM representative Dhanlaxmi Chourasia and ICA players’ representative Mark J. Ingty.
According to the report, a bank resolution reflecting the apex council’s decision was subsequently submitted to the bank and signed by the treasurer. However, the bank reportedly sought the signature of the honorary secretary to complete the formalities.
The report alleges that the honorary secretary has not signed the resolution, resulting in a delay in operationalising the signatory arrangement and consequently affecting the clearance of salaries and other payments.
It further claims that immediately after the March 7 meeting, the president and treasurer signed cheques to clear pending dues of support staff. However, the process could not be completed because the bank resolution remained pending.
The report contends that the decision to restrict signatory powers to the president and treasurer was taken to strengthen checks and balances following what it describes as “massive financial discrepancies” within the association.
Accusing the secretary of creating administrative hurdles, the report alleges that repeated attempts have been made to bypass established procedures and exercise unilateral control over the association’s finances.
The report further states that staff members and players have become unintended victims of the ongoing dispute, with salaries remaining unpaid for several months.
Expressing concern over the situation, the report quotes president Sangma as saying that financial mismanagement and unchecked leakages have adversely affected the functioning of the association, including the disbursement of district grants and staff salaries.
Drawing comparisons with other cricket associations, the report notes that states such as Nagaland and Sikkim have been able to develop infrastructure with similar funding support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), while Jammu and Kashmir has achieved success in domestic cricket despite difficult circumstances.
The report urges that the administrative impasse be resolved at the earliest to ensure payment of outstanding salaries and restore normal functioning of the association.
