Howzat, BCCI: Retired Test umpires will be better off if given pension hike

BCCI's acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary

"Can you imagine a match starting without the umpires," a retired Test umpire asked me earlier this week. It's a question the BCCI mandarins should ask themselves while re-examining the monthly pensions they hand out to retired Test umpires. At the moment, the figure stands at Rs 22,500 for the men in white coats who retired before 2000.

The umpires want a hike. Not just because the Board recently inked a Rs 16347.50crore deal for the IPL television and digital rights but because Rs 22,500 is just not enough to live comfortably.

"We keep hearing about former players getting one-time payments. A few months ago, we read about players who figured in one to nine Tests getting Rs 35 lakh each. I think we too deserve one-time payments," said one umpire. "I don't grudge the players, but it is a fact that some of them earn a living after their playing days through commentary, media work and coaching while we have very little to turn to," he added.

Despite wanting an enhancement in pension, the umpires are grateful to the BCCI for the monthly grant and the R5 lakh reserved for medical fees. One Mumbai-based umpire, though, has exhausted his medical expenses through constant hospital visits while another is in a similar state and can't even move out of his house due to a orthopaedic problem. "I think some of us should also be considered for the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. We would like to believe that even we have contributed to the growth of Indian cricket," said one umpire.

An official of his era recalled the days when umpires got Rs 10,000 as allowance for each Test they officiated in. "We went to venues by train while the players traveled by air. They stayed in five-star hotels even as we were put up in guest houses," he
remarked.

Past players and umpires got Rs 5000 each per month after the pension scheme was announced in May 2004. While hikes of Rs 5000 were granted for umpires from time to time before an enhanced figure of Rs 22,500 was announced before the November 2015 BCCI Annual General Meeting, the monetary gains for the ex-players have increased far greater than the umpires.

The Indian cricket board is unique when it comes to looking after all their former Test players and umpires.

Admiration on this particular front will increase manifold if the BCCI further spread their canvass of benevolence to Test umpires who are coping with old age and health issues.

Yes, we can't imagine a match starting without umpires. And once they call 'play' they have to stand for six hours as well.