 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Cracking the whip on the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) after receiving complaints from the participants at the London Paralympics, Sports Minister Ajay Maken issued a show cause notice to the sports body and sought a reply within 15 days.
"The PCI is directed to submit, within 15 days from the date of receipt of this show cause notice, a detailed reply failing which it would be presumed they have no submission to make and action will be taken ex-parte," the sports ministry said in a statement.
"On the basis of petitions received from participating paralympic athletes and others, show cause notice being issued to the PCI," Maken had earlier written on his twitter page.
The sports ministry asked the PCI to explain why action should not be taken against the body.
"Accordingly, PCI, is called upon to explain as to why the Govt. should not take up the case of PCI for suspension/withdrawal of recognition as per clause 8 & 10 of Annexure-III of Scheme of Assistance to NSFs."
The sports ministry said in the statement that "there was poor coordination and mismanagement of the Indian team which went to participate in London Paralympic Games, 2012 due to the casual and callous approach of the officials of the PCI".
It further stated that the "sanctioned allowances were not disbursed to sportspersons and coaches on time and were disbursed only after repeated reminders of the Government".
Arjuna awardee powerlifter Farman Basha is among the para athletes who have complained of official apathy, saying that the passes of escorts and coaches at the Games Village are being used by officials of the PCI.
"My wife, Antonia sold her jewellery so I could represent India at the Games. She was also supposed to help me get my way around the events. She's my soul mate and I owe my success to her.
"Sadly, today she's stranded outside the Games Village, because Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) members are using the free facilities meant for athletes and their support staff," he wrote in a petition.
Officials from PCI have, however, denied these allegations.
"We cannot have an escort for every athlete. We have 10 athletes and only six people have been sanctioned to stay inside the Games Village. We are managing things with some people coming early at the Village and leaving late in the evening," an official from PCI said.