HC notice on PIL alleging misuse of govt funds for sports

The Centre has been directed by the Delhi High Court to respond to a PIL alleging that politicians were "misusing" government funds worth crores in the name of sports on advertisements for their publicity.
A bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Manmohan has issued notice to the Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) on the petition.
The PIL has alleged that politicians were misusing crores of rupees of government funds on "publicity stunts" which highlight achievements of sportspersons.
Contending that the misuse of funds affects a large number of sportsperson, the plea said, "The government funds are being misused for personal gains through other channels in the name of sports, even though expenses are being shown under different heads of account.

"Crores of rupees were spent on the publicity stunt and advertisements at the time of Commonwealth Games and London Olympics," the PIL, filed by one Rajiv Boolchand, said and sought laying down of rules to immediately stop projection of political personalities with sportsperson through advertisements in the press and electronic media.
It also wanted the government to take control of BCCI by bringing the game under its purview.

According to the plea, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs should immediately take charge of BCCI by establishing a monitoring and regulatory agency to control functioning of the cricket body and similar autonomous organisations.

The petition submitted that BCCI was drafting the laws for cricket in India without being given any authority.
The high court has fixed March 12, 2014 for further hearing of the matter.
The petitioner alleged that various authorities have "no desire" to protect rights of sportspersons and their abuse continues.
"...The authorities are not utilising the fund in a proper way due to which large number of sportspersons are getting affected," he said.