Sports minister introduces National Sports Bill for greater transparency in NSFs
The bill makes some concessions on the issue of age cap for administrators by allowing those in the bracket of 70 to 75 to contest elections if the concerned international bodies' statutes and byelaws allow for it. It is a departure from the national sports code that capped the age limit at 70."...as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major international competitions," read the bill's statement of objectives.All recognised national sports bodies would also come under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, something that the BCCI has vehemently opposed since it is not dependent on government funding.The ministry has insisted that the BCCI, which is now part of the Olympic movement following cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angles Games roster, will have to comply with the provisions of the bill once it becomes an act.The NSB will comprise a chairperson and its members will be appointed by the central government from "amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing."The Board's constituents will also be expected to possess "special knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields."The appointments would be done based on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee, according to the draft bill that has been finalised after extensive consultations with stake-holders and public inputs.The selection committee would be made up of the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as chairperson, the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sports administrators who have each served as the President or Secretary General or Treasurer of a National Sports Body and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, or Khel Ratna or Arjuna awardee.advertisement"...there is a felt need for a comprehensive legislation to improvethe governance of the sports bodies and achieve better results in sports and reducethe disputes and litigation, inter alia, involving sports federations," stated the objectives of the bill."There is an imperative need to curb factionalism, and administrative interventions which adversely affects the organised development of sports and related activities in India and also for its better presentation before the international sports community," it added.The NSB will have the mandate to de-recognise a national body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed "gross irregularities in the election procedures."Failure to publish annual audited accounts or "misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" would also be liable for action by the NSB but it would be required to consult the concerned global body before making its move.The bill also provides for a National Sports Election Panel consisting of former members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission or former Chief Electoral Officers of the States or Deputy Election Commissioners."(They) shall act as electoral officers to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies," the bill stated.advertisementMandaviya also introduced The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025 that seeks to incorporate the changes sought by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which objected to "government interference" in the functioning of the country's Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).The act was originally passed in 2022 but its implementation had to be put on hold due to objections raised by WADA.The world body objected to the institution of a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports, which was empowered to make recommendations to the government on anti-doping regulations.The Board, which was to comprise a chairperson and two members appointed by the central government, was also authorised to oversee the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and even issue directions to it.WADA rejected this provision as government interference in an autonomous body.In the amended bill, the Board has been retained but without the powers to oversee NADA or the advisory role it was previously assigned.- EndsMust Watch
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Age of consent must stay 18: Centre to Supreme Court
The Union government on Wednesday opposed any move to lower the age of consent under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act or introduce exceptions for adolescent relationships, telling the Supreme Court that such dilution, 'even in the name of reform or adolescent autonomy,' would dismantle the statutory shield meant to safeguard minors and risk opening the door to child abuse. The Centre firmly urged the top court to reject any proposition to amend or dilute the age of consent, stating that such a move would embolden exploitative conduct and harm the very children the law seeks to protect. (HT Photo) In its written submissions filed before a bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, the government underscored that the current threshold of 18 must remain 'strictly and uniformly enforced' to maintain the integrity of child protection laws and uphold the best interests of minors. 'The statutory age of consent fixed at eighteen years must therefore be strictly and uniformly enforced. Any departure from this standard, even in the name of reform or adolescent autonomy, would amount to rolling back decades of progress in child protection law,' the Centre said, adding that 'introducing a legislative close-in-age exception or reducing the age of consent would irrevocably dilute the statutory presumption of vulnerability that lies at the heart of child protection law.' The Centre's categorical stand assumes significance amid a deluge of cases where courts are increasingly confronted with situations involving consensual relationships between adolescents, often leading to the prosecution of young boys under POCSO, even when the alleged victim does not complain of coercion or exploitation. The Centre's response comes in the wake of concerns raised by senior advocate Indira Jaising, who, in her capacity as amicus curiae, had submitted earlier this year that mandatory reporting of all sexual activity involving minors, even consensual encounters between adolescents, was leading to the criminalisation of young people and severely compromising the health rights, privacy, and autonomy of adolescent girls. Jaising and senior advocate Sidharth Luthra are assisting the top court in a 2012 public interest litigation filed by advocate Nipun Saxena. The matter is expected to be taken up again on Thursday. Emphasising the deliberate and coherent statutory policy behind setting 18 as the age of consent, the Centre, however, stated: 'The legislative determination to fix the age of consent at eighteen years, and to treat all sexual activities with a person below that age as an offence irrespective of purported consent, is a product of a deliberate, well-considered and coherent statutory policy.' This policy, the submissions said, is reflected not just in the POCSO Act but also across several legal instruments, including the Indian Penal Code, its successor the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Indian Majority Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act -- all of which view individuals under 18 as legally incapable of full agency in decisions with lasting consequences. 'It is submitted that this policy decision is an outcome of careful and ongoing legislative discussions, considering India's cultural diversity, socio-economic conditions, and the practical challenges faced across the country,' the government said. 'It reflects a clear understanding of the vulnerability of minors, the common occurrence of coercion and manipulation in such situations, and the challenges in proving the absence of consent when minors are involved,' added the submissions, settled by additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati. The government also warned that lowering the age of consent would shift focus from the conduct of the accused to the perceived willingness of the child, undermining the spirit of child-centric justice and increasing the risk of victim-blaming. 'A diluted law risks opening the floodgates to trafficking and other forms of child abuse under the garb of consent…such a shift would inevitably lead to the re-victimisation of the child by shifting the focus from the unlawful conduct of the accused to the credibility of the child's version,' it further noted. While acknowledging that some adolescent relationships may be consensual and born out of 'emotional curiosity or mutual attraction,' the Centre maintained that these instances must be left to the courts to evaluate individually, and should not become the basis for legislative change. 'Such instances must be carefully scrutinised by courts on a case-by-case basis, using discretion and sensitivity to the facts. This judicial discretion, however, is distinct from legislative dilution. The moment the statute begins to generalise such exceptions, it weakens the bright-line protective standard that currently acts as a deterrent and shield for all children,' the submissions stated. Referring to data cited by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development in its 240th Report, the government highlighted that more than 50% of sexual offences against children are perpetrated by persons known to the victim, including family members, caregivers, and teachers, which, it said, are relationships often marked by a power imbalance that prevents children from resisting or reporting abuse. 'In such cases, presenting 'consent' as a defence only victimises the child, shifts the blame onto them, and undermines the very object of POCSO to protect children from exploitation regardless of whether they were 'willing',' the Centre said. It further asserted that strict liability under POCSO is not punitive but protective, recognising that minors, regardless of physical maturity, are often incapable of giving informed consent, especially under social, familial, or economic pressure. 'This principle is not confined to a single enactment but is consistently reflected across multiple enactments…This formulation is a deliberate choice, grounded in the recognition that minors lack the legal and developmental capacity to give meaningful and informed consent in matters involving sexual activity,' the government submitted. Invoking international commitments, the Centre also pointed to India's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which defines a child as anyone under 18 and mandates States to protect them from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. The POCSO Act, it added, was 'enacted in direct response to this obligation, codifying a strict liability regime wherein all sexual acts with children under 18 are criminalised, irrespective of perceived consent.' The Centre firmly urged the top court to reject any proposition to amend or dilute the age of consent, stating that such a move would embolden exploitative conduct and harm the very children the law seeks to protect.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Minister reviews drafting of PESA Act rules
B hubaneswar: Panchayati raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik on Wednesday reviewed the progress of drafting rules related to the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act. An extensive discussion was conducted in the meeting on various aspects of the necessary regulations for implementing the Act in the state. The minister reviewed all ancillary aspects of the regulations related to the PESA Act to be implemented in the state. Apart from the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, there were detailed discussions on proposals from the ST and SC development department, revenue department, forest, and other departments. Reviewing the regulations currently at the draft stage, the minister instructed that the rights of the STs be kept central. He also stated that the govt is committed to ensuring their rights and dignity. Instructions were given to ensure that these regulations reflect the socio-economic development of the state's STs and their participation in the development process and democratic opinion. He expressed that the STs of the state long demanded this, and it will fulfil their hopes and aspirations.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
2 new OISF battalions to help strengthen industrial security
Bhubaneswar: Govt has decided to create of two additional Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF) battalions to strengthen security for industrial establishments across the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision follows the BJP govt's increased focus on developing port-based industries in Paradip, Dhamara, Astaranga and Gopalpur, leading to new industrial clusters. The expansion, adding to the existing two battalions, will require the recruitment of 1,944 personnel. This move aims to enhance security infrastructure alongside industrial growth in the state, officials said. Each new battalion will have 675 constables, 128 havildars, 63 assistant sub-inspectors, 27 sub-inspectors and 12 inspectors. They will have one commander and three deputy and four assistant commanders each, besides clerical and other support staff. "These two battalions will be known as the third and fourth battalions," a notification from the home department read. It further stated that the expenditure on account of hiring cost of vehicles shall be charged from borrowing organisations. For both the battalions, armourer staff, communication and stenographers will be included. "The newly created posts will be filled up in a transparent manner following recruitment rules and provisions of the Odisha Reservation of Vacancies (ORV) Act," the notification read. Paradip port, one of India's major ports on the east coast, which handled 145.38 million metric tonnes of cargo last fiscal, has immense potential for growth, and security could be a huge challenge. With three operational deep-draught ports — Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur — and ambitious expansion plans, the govt is leveraging its 480 km coastline to integrate industrial growth with urban development. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Odisha has more than 50 steel plants now producing 33 million tonnes annually, making it the leading steel-producing state in the country. Odisha produces more than 50% of the country's annual aluminium output of 4.1 million tonnes. "Industrial security is an emerging challenge now, and the state can't afford to earn a bad name by lagging behind in terms of robust and modern security," said a senior police officer.
