Varsity employees' delegation meets Kerala Governor, voices concern over University (Amendment) Bill
The delegation, which met the Governor at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, expressed serious concerns regarding the proposed amendments to the University Act that sought to expand the powers of the Pro-Chancellor (Minister for Higher Education) while simultaneously curtailing the authority of the Chancellor, according to a release. If enacted, it would result in excessive executive interference in university governance, in direct contravention of the well-established principles of higher education law and constitutional propriety, it said.
The representatives submitted a memorandum to the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of State universities, stating that such changes would adversely impact the autonomy and academic independence of universities.
The proposed amendments empower the Pro-Chancellor to discharge the functions of the Chancellor, either in the Chancellor's absence or by way of delegation through executive order. This delegation of quasi-judicial and statutory powers to an executive functionary, who is politically affiliated, violates the principle of neutrality and separation of powers essential to the independent functioning of academic institutions, it said.
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Hans India
31 minutes ago
- Hans India
Parliament clears twin bills to reform sports administration, doping oversight; move paves way to win 2036 Olympic
New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a watershed moment in India's legislative efforts to overhaul its sports administration and enhancing chances to win the bid for the Olympic 2036. The Bills, already cleared by the Lok Sabha, were moved by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who described them as transformative instruments aimed at promoting ethical governance, athlete welfare, and institutional accountability across the country's sporting landscape. The debate in the House was briefly disrupted when Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls. Sasmit Patra, who was in the Chair, expunged Kharge's remarks following an intervention by Leader of the House J.P. Nadda, ruling them unrelated to the legislative business at hand. Subsequently, members of the Opposition staged a walkout. Among the most poignant interventions came from Olympian P.T. Usha, nominated member and President of the Indian Olympic Association, who recalled her near-podium finish at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. 'I missed the bronze by one-hundredth of a second. My heart broke not for myself, but for an entire generation of Indian athletes who had the strength and courage, but not the system,' she said. 'This Bill is not just about governance - it is about justice and fair play.' Prafull Patel of the NCP (Maharashtra) said, 'Every athlete's voice will now be heard,' adding that the proposed tribunal would ensure speedy resolution of disputes. He noted that the reforms in the Bill would help India realise its Olympic ambitions, including the bid for the 2036 Games. 'Every single sports federation is mired in legal cases. Courts take their own time. This tribunal will change that,' he said, also highlighting the Bill's mandate for women's representation in sports federations. Ayodhya Rama Reddy Alla of the YSR Congress Party welcomed the Bill's clarity and its promise of a unified framework for national and regional sports federations. Other members who spoke in support included Dr. Parmar Janswantsinh Salamsinh Jhala of the BJP (Gujarat), Sana Satish Babu of the TDP - who also serves as Secretary of the Andhra Cricket Association - Ravi Chandra Vaddiraju of the BRS (Telangana), Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadik of the BJP (Maharashtra), Narhari Amin of the BJP (Gujarat), who delivered his remarks in Gujarati, Bhubneshwar Kalita of the BJP (Assam), Seema Dwivedi of the BJP (Uttar Pradesh), and Maya Naroliya of the BJP (Madhya Pradesh). The House also passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to align India's anti-doping framework with global standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The amendment ensures operational independence for the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), addressing earlier concerns over government interference. It removes oversight powers previously granted to the National Anti-Doping Board, reinforcing NADA's autonomy in investigations, enforcement, and adjudication. The Sports Governance Bill seeks to establish a unified legal framework for the development and promotion of sports, rooted in the principles of fair play, transparency, and international best practices. It aligns with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters and introduces a National Sports Board to regulate and recognise sports federations. The Board will have powers to de-recognise federations for election irregularities, financial opacity, or failure to publish audited accounts. Crucially, the Bill also provides for the creation of a specialised National Sports Tribunal, chaired by a sitting or former Supreme Court judge, to adjudicate disputes related to athlete selection, governance, and federation elections. Tribunal decisions will be appealable only in the Supreme Court, offering athletes a faster and more specialised route to justice. With both Bills now cleared by Parliament, India moves decisively toward building a transparent, accountable, and globally competitive sports ecosystem - one that promises not only medals but dignity, fairness, and institutional support for every athlete. After Minister Mandaviya's motion to pass the Bill, Surendra Singh Nagar considered the proposal, and the Bill was passed without any protest from the Opposition, through a voice vote.
News18
40 minutes ago
- News18
Parliament passes National Sports Bill after extensive discussion
New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) The National Sports Governance Bill was on Tuesday passed by the Parliament with Rajya Sabha giving its nod a mere 24 hours after Lok Sabha, marking a historic first for India's sports administration that is now set to be regulated by a national board and have its own dispute resolution mechanism. The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, which reinforces NADA's autonomy as required by the World Anti-Doping Agency, was also passed by the Parliament. The two bills now await presidential assent to be notified as acts. Soon after Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya moved the bills for consideration and passage in the Upper House at 3pm, there were vociferous opposition protests over revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The opposition eventually staged a walkout led by Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who demanded a discussion on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. 'In 20 countries, there is sports law. I request the Rajya Sabha to make India the 21st country with a sports law," Mandaviya said in his address which was followed by a discussion that lasted over two hours. During the discussion, BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia raised concerns about the centralisation of sports governance due to the bill. He also felt that the bill did not have clarity on district and block level development of athletes. 'The bill should empower, not control," he said. Mandaviya responded by saying that the government is only seeking to be a facilitator. 'In this bill, we are bringing transparency, not control, not interference. Government doesn't want to control. We are being the supporters and providers of a structure," he asserted. Former All India Football Federation President and NCP leader Praful Patel and Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha, who is a nominated member, were among the prominent voices who lauded the bill. 'It was a long-standing legislation that was required. We have had a sports code, it's been a loose code and never stood any legal scrutiny. What is happening today is the need of the hour," Patel said. 'We are hoping to win the 2036 bid of Olympics. That itself would be a redefining moment for Indian sports. This bill is absolutely in the right direction. We need this to achieve glory that is beyond cricket. It is imperative that this bill be passed with fullest support," he added. Usha expressed similar sentiments and said, 'This bill will usher in transparency, accountability, and gender parity. It will empower athletes and build confidence among sponsors and federations. It is about justice and fair-play." Mandaviya has described it as 'the single biggest reform in sports since independence." The most striking aspect of the bill is the NSB to create a stringent system of accountability. 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. Another feature is the proposal for a National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court and decide disputes ranging from selection to election involving federations and athletes. Once instituted, Tribunal's decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. 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 bylaws allow for it. It is a departure from the national sports code that capped the age limit at 70. 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. However, the cricket board has got some leeway on that front with the government amending the bill to ensure that RTI would be applicable only on bodies that rely on government funding or support. Another significant amendment made to the draft is the mandatory term of two tenures in the EC to be eligible for fighting NSF elections. That mandatory tenure has been reduced to one term, clearing the decks for the likes of IOA President P T Usha to seek a re-election. The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill-2025 incorporates 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. The amended bill asserts NADA's 'operational independence". PTI RSN SKC PM PM PM (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 12, 2025, 17:45 IST News agency-feeds Parliament passes National Sports Bill after extensive discussion Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
Parliament passes two Bills to improve transparency in sports governance
New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) Parliament on Tuesday approved two Bills for the development and promotion of sports, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya describing them as robust legislation to bring in transparency and enhance sports governance in the country. The two Bills — The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 and The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 — were passed in the Rajya Sabha after the Opposition walked out soon after the minister moved the Bills for consideration and passage. The Lok Sabha passed the two Bills on Monday. Replying to the debate on the Bills in the Upper House, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya said, 'The passage of these Bills will usher in a new era in the country's sports sector". view comments First Published: August 12, 2025, 17:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
