The Working Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India met at Calcutta today and the following decisions were taken

The Board has applied to the Income Tax authorities requesting permission to donate in the Kargil fund without affecting the exemption it enjoys as a sports body under the Income Tax Act. Once thw clearance is received, the Board will donate a sum of 50 Lacs towards army welfare

The Board has already appoached the relevant Ministries of Government of India seeking its guidance regarding the Indian team's visit to Toronto and Australia. The Government's guidance and permission are yet to br received. The Working Committee has resolved to abide strictly by the Government's policy and decision.

The Committee also took a serious note of one of the sponsors, Sahara India interfering with and treading on the jurisdiction of the Board. The Committee condemned the comments of Sahara India. It was decided to ask the concerned sponsor not to comment out of turn and restrict their role to sponsorship which they perform for commercial gains by way of mileage.

The Working Committee has decided that 'A' team tours should be encouraged as much as possible and a detailed five-year programme be drawn up for such 'A' team tours will all the other Test playing countries as such interactions have paid rich dividends in the recent years as a regular supply line to the senior national squad.

Letters were sent to three cricketers- Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Robin Singh, seeking explanation regarding their comments in the media. Replies of all three cricketers were recieved and discussed. The Working Committee was satisfied with the explanations given by Dravid and Ganguly and the matter was treated as closed. Regarding Robin Singh too, the matter was treated as closed since he had tendered an apology. However, it was decided to write to Robin Singh advising him to be cautious in future and refraining from such act

The Domestic-Programme for the year 1999-2000 was approved in today's meeting.

The BCCI has decided to start a National Cricket Academy as soon as possible, preferably within the end of this year. Bangalore has been choseen as a venue and necessary follow-up actions will start immidiately.

The Committee has decided to entertain offers for television rights for Indian Cricket only from the main television channels and networks having adequate coverage.