Lok Sabha passes National Sports Governance Bill — All you need to know
The long-awaited National Sports Governance Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha here on Monday with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya describing it as the "single biggest reform in Indian sports since independence" amid opposition protests over revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The opposition leaders were not present in the house when the bills were introduced for consideration and passage as most of them were detained while marching towards the Election Commission headquarters against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged voter data fudging.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
But after two MPs participated in the consideration debate, speaking in the bill's support, the opposition members returned to the house and started raising slogans.
Amid the din, the bills were passed by a voice vote following which the House was adjourned till 4pm.
"It is the single biggest reform in sports since independence. This bill will ensure accountability, ensure justice, best governance in sports federations," Mandaviya said amid sloganeering by opposition members.
"It will have massive significance in India's sports ecosystem. It is unfortunate that such an important bill and reform does not have opposition's participation," he added.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You
Reportingly
Undo
Earlier, Chairman of the parliamentary committee on sports, Digvijaya Singh, requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the National Sports Governance Bill to the panel. He felt that the bill should be examined and discussed before it is taken up by Parliament
Mandaviya said the two bills were key reforms aimed at building a "transparent, accountable and world-class sports ecosystem" in India as the country aims to bid for the 2036 Olympics.
"Efforts have been made since 1975 and in 1985, we had the first draft. But sports was also politicised for personal gains. Some ministers made efforts to bring this bill but could not move forward.
Efforts to bring such reforms date back to 1975, with drafts in 1985, 2011, and multiple attempts that failed to reach Parliament.
The existing National Sports Code (2011) is being replaced with this comprehensive legislation.
"In 2011, we had a National Sports Code. Another effort was made to turn it into a bill. It reached the cabinet, there was a discussion as well but the bill was deferred after that. It did not reach the Parliament," the minister stated while presenting a timeline of the bill's journey.
"The National Sports Bill Governance Bill is a force of change...Despite being such a large country, our performance at the Olympic Games and on the international stage has not been satisfactory and this Bill aims to build India's sports capacity," he added.
The sports governance bill has provisions for a National Sports Board (NSB) to create a stringent system of accountability. All National Sports Federations (NSFs) will have to attain NSB's recognition for access to central government funding.
All National Sports Federations (NSFs) must get NSB recognition for government funding.
NSB can de-recognise federations for election irregularities, lack of audited accounts, or misuse of funds (in consultation with relevant global bodies).
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."
F
ailure 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.
Administrators aged 70–75 can contest elections if permitted by international federation rules (earlier limit was 70).
"...as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergo 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 will be under the RTI Act, except those not reliant on government funding (e.g., partial relief for BCCI).
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.
Aims to create a transparent, accountable, and world-class sports governance system.
Seeks to improve India's performance in major international competitions, including the Olympics.
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.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Will explore more, no compromise on farmers' interests: Shivraj on tariffs
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his determination to protect the interests of farmers in the wake of tariff pressures and said it has been decided that there will be no compromise with the interests of the farming community. Speaking at an event in Subrahmanyam Hall in New Delhi, Chouhan emphasised that India's population is its strength and the country will also find new markets. In a veiled reference to the United States imposing 50 per cent tariff on India and apparent pressure in trade talks for greater access to India's agriculture and dairy sectors, Chouhan said there is vast difference in the size of landholdings and agricultural practices and cost of production in the two countries. "The whole country was apprehensive, know how much land they hold: 10,000 hectares, 15,000 hectares. Meanwhile, our farmers have land ranging from one acre to three acres, with many having just half an acre. We have a little land. Is this competition fair? You use GM seeds. There are different kinds of perceptions about our GM. The whole country was apprehensive, what will happen? They want their soybean to come here, their wheat, maize, rice," the Agriculture Minister said. "The cost of production per hectare is less there because GM seeds and other things are used, so the yield is more and the cost is less. The cost of production per hectare here is much higher than there, and if it had come openly, the prices of the crops here would have fallen further in our country. Where would the farmer go? Therefore, it was decided that no matter what happens, there will be no compromise with the interests of the farmer," he added. Chouhan referred to PM Modi's remarks that no matter how much loss he personally incurs, there will be no compromise with interests of farmers. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi said recently that no matter how much loss I personally incur, but the interests of farmers will not be compromised. This is the voice of India, voice of brothers, be assured. If there is some difficutly, we will see. We will find new markets, and India itself is such a big market that our things will be consumed here. The population of the whole of Europe is 50 crore, America's is 30 crore, our population of 144 crore is not our weakness; it is our strength. That is why this decision was taken. It is also testing time, we don't have budge, bow..." Chouhan said. US imposed 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods last month and increased it to 50 per cent over import of Russian oil. Chouhan also spoke of the government's determination to provide more resources to agriculture. Chouhan also dismissed nuclear sabre-rattling by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and said India has decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack. "Today, as a farmer, I want to congratulate our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I want to thank him. The first thing is the Indus Water Treaty. Now the neighbour is giving threats from America. India is not going to be afraid of any threat. The whole world should hear that the Indus Treaty has been cancelled, and our water will be used for the farmers. This is Modi ji's decision. Such an unjust treaty, the rivers, land, water are ours and the canal will be built in Pakistan. We gave 80% of the water, and Nehru ji also gave money to build the canal there; this was a sin. Now this will not be allowed at any cost; our water will be used for our own purposes," Chouhan said. Referring to Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism against India, Chouhan said PM Modi has made it clear that "blood and water cannot flow together". He said the government would soon bring in a new law to take strict action against those producing fake fertilisers and chemicals. He said various schemes for farmers' welfare are being advanced on priority and digital payment of insurance amounts was made to farmers on Monday from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. The Union Minister highlighted PM Modi's 'Nation First' resolve and emphasized that the Prime Minister has always taken strong, bold, nation-centric decisions, for which the country will forever remain indebted.
Mint
26 minutes ago
- Mint
India's population is its strength, will tap new markets: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan on Trump tariffs
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his determination to protect the interests of farmers despite tariff pressure from the Donald Trump administration in the US. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said it has been decided that there will be no compromise with the interests of the farming community. Speaking at an event in Subrahmanyam Hall in New Delhi, Chouhan emphasised that India's population is its strength and the country will also find new markets. In a veiled reference to the Trump administration imposing 50 per cent tariff on India and apparent pressure in trade talks for greater access to India's agriculture and dairy sectors, Chouhan said there is vast difference in the size of landholdings and agricultural practices and cost of production in the two countries. "The whole country was apprehensive, know how much land they hold: 10,000 hectares, 15,000 hectares. Meanwhile, our farmers have land ranging from one acre to three acres, with many having just half an acre. We have a little land. Is this competition fair? You use GM seeds. There are different kinds of perceptions about our GM. The whole country was apprehensive, what will happen? They want their soybean to come here, their wheat, maize, rice," the Agriculture Minister said. "The cost of production per hectare is less there because GM seeds and other things are used, so the yield is more and the cost is less. The cost of production per hectare here is much higher than there, and if it had come openly, the prices of the crops here would have fallen further in our country. Where would the farmer go? Therefore, it was decided that no matter what happens, there will be no compromise with the interests of the farmer," he added. Chouhan referred to PM Modi's remarks that he will not compromise the interests of farmers no matter how much loss he personally incurs. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi said recently that no matter how much loss I personally incur, but the interests of farmers will not be compromised. This is the voice of India, the voice of farmers,' the minister said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, 7 August, that India will never compromise on the interests of farmers and fishermen, even if that means personally paying a heavy price for it. PM Narendra Modi's remarks are seen as a veiled response to US President Donald Trump's tariff threats on India. Farmer brothers, be assured, Chouhan said. "If there is some difficutly, we will see. We will find new markets, and India itself is such a big market that our things will be consumed here. The population of the whole of Europe is 50 crore, America's is 30 crore, our population of 144 crore is not our weakness; it is our strength. That is why this decision was taken. It is also testing time, we don't have budge, bow..." he said. The US imposed 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods last month and increased them to 50 per cent on the import of Russian oil. Chouhan also said the government would soon introduce a new law to punish those producing fake fertilisers and chemicals. He said various schemes for farmers' welfare are being advanced on priority and digital payment of insurance amounts was made to farmers on Monday from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. No matter what happens, there will be no compromise with the interests of the farmer. The Union Minister highlighted PM Modi's 'Nation First' resolve and emphasised that the Prime Minister has always taken strong, bold, nation-centric decisions, for which the country will forever remain indebted.
Economic Times
26 minutes ago
- Economic Times
'Enemy can't snatch even single drop of water': After Munir, Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif threatens India on Indus treaty
ANI "Enemy can't snatch even single drop of water," says Pak PM on India holding IWT in abeyance Days after Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir threatened nuclear action against India, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warned that any attempt to block water flow into Pakistan would be a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and met with a 'decisive response.' Speaking at an event in Islamabad, Sharif declared, 'The enemy cannot snatch even a single drop of water from Pakistan. You threatened to stop our water—if you try, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget.' He stressed that water is Pakistan's lifeline and vowed no compromise on the country's rights under international agreements, Geo News reported. Earlier this week in Tampa, Florida, Munir told members of the Pakistani diaspora that any reduction in water flow would be met with destruction of Indian infrastructure. He also issued a nuclear warning: 'We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we'll take half the world down with us.' India, following the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April that killed 26 people, has placed the IWT in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and permanently abandons support for cross-border terrorism. The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations mediated by the World Bank, is regarded as one of the most durable water-sharing agreements in the world. It allocates the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—to Pakistan, and the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—to India, while granting each side limited rights over the other's rivers. India receives 20% of the Indus system's waters, while Pakistan gets the remaining 80%. Despite decades of conflict, the treaty has largely endured, though it has faced criticism in India for being overly generous to Pakistan, even as the latter continues to back terrorism. The IWT also drew attention after the 2019 Pulwama attack.
