BCCI criticised for refusal to come under RTI

BCCI criticised for refusal to come under RTI
New Delhi: Sports Minister Ajay Maken on Wednesday directly attacked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for refusing to come under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Maken said that the board gets tax exemptions and land, and therefore is accountable to the people.

Ajay Maken lashed out at the BCCI, a day after his Sports Bill aiming to bring sports bodies under RTI was sent back to the drawing board by the Cabinet.
Maken pointed out that the BCCI was in fact getting government funds indirectly in terms of tax exemptions and land facilities, so they should come under RTI purview.
"What do they mean by (saying) they don't get govt funds, so shouldn't come under RTI? They are indrectly getting government funds," he said.
He raised the question of how much the BCCI has to pay for using grounds like Ferozeshah Kotla.
"How about the tax exemptions? How about the land they get? How much did they pay for the Ferozshah Kotla?" he said.
Maken underlined that he was not asking sports bodies to reveal anything to the government, rather he wanted them to be accountable to the people.
"We are not asking them to reveal anything to the government. We are asking them to be accountable to the people," he said.
With regard to age limit, Ajay Maken said the sporting bodies should follow the example of the judiciary.
"What is their problem with age limit? Doesn't the judiciary, the bureaucracy have age limits. Why can't a good example be followed? If someone remains a federation chief forever, why will vested interests not develop," he asked.
On Tuesday, the Sports Bill was sent for reconsideration after powerful ministers in the Union Cabinet rejected many of its provisions. Those disagreeing with the Bill as it stands also head sports federations.
There was no unanimity within Cabinet on whether cricket as a sport should be brought under RTI. Objections were also raised against restrictions imposed on maximum terms for president of a sports federation. Several ministers also found long-term development goals of the Bill to be too intrusive.