MS Dhoni’s Rs 1800 dues of Jharkhand Cricket Association creates controversy

One of the most successful and influential captains of India, MS Dhoni is again in news. The stumper was the first cricketer from Jharkhand to represent his country and Jharkhand State cricket association granted him a lifetime membership last year. But Dhoni apparently owes 1,800 to his parent body which has made some chaos in Jamshedpur.

The controversy was gradually taking its shape when fuel was added to the fire after a group of people led by former cricketer and activist Shesh Nath Pathak with some students and fans of the former captain collected the money for the same. They got a draft made and tried to submit the draft but the same was not accepted.

“They (JSCA) refused to take it – perhaps on someone’s instructions — and gave an acknowledgement receipt. We were advised we could send it by post,” Pathak, who is known to protest against alleged irregularities in the JSCA, was quoted as saying by The Quint.

In JSCA’s latest annual report which was submitted in July, a due of INR 1,800 was mentioned against MS Dhoni’s name. No reason was mentioned for the amount. Sahay later clarified that the due was pending as the lifetime membership fees are INR 10,000 and the 1,800 is the GST which have to be paid by the World Cup-winning captain.

“If someone has to do something he is free to do that. He can’t be stopped. Suppose I authorise someone to pay fees or money on my behalf, only then can that person pay it, isn’t it? Did Dhoni authorise these people to pay his dues? My permission (to accept the draft) is not needed in this; the permission of the person who is supposed to pay dues is required.” JSCA secretary, Sanjay Sahay said.

MS Dhoni has been informed about his dues, says JSCA Secretary

As per the news going around in Jharkhand, a JSCA representative went to MS Dhoni’s house in Ranchi to collect a cheque of 10,000. However, with GST, the amount should be 11,800 and his supporters are saying that the representative should have asked for 11,800 instead to avoid such turmoil.

Sahay clarified that the representative wasn’t aware of that. “I have no information about this, so I wouldn’t be able to say anything on this. But, yes, Dhoni has been informed (about his dues),” he added.

Interestingly, MS Dhoni was made an honourable member of JSCA last year. Then, after noisy protests by his supports led JSCA to offer him a lifetime membership. The management committee’s decision was upheld at the JSCA’s October AGM. But, strangely, the JSCA took an inordinately long time to publish the members’ list on its website, and finally did it this July.