Monday, May 2, 2011
Lokpal Bill drafting put on fast trackSources said civil society members impressed upon the government members in the panel that India as a signatory
Lokpal Bill drafting put on fast track
These and other controversial issues could come up in the May 7 meeting.
The joint drafting committee met for the first time after a slew of corruption charges had rocked civil society members and father-son lawyer duo of Shanti and Prashant Bhushan. However, sources said that these controversies were not discussed.
Civil society representatives submitted two documents to the government outlining "principles and objects" for the proposed law. HRD minister and government representative on the committee Kapil Sibal said, "The civil society members on the joint drafting committee presented a document with respect to the objects of the bill as well as a document that enunciated the general principles underlying the bill.''
The committee has agreed to meet on May 7, 23 and 30 to discuss the bill. The committee may meet on a daily basis next month to complete drafting the bill by June 30. This will help the government introduce the bill in the monsoon session.
Sibal said, "The talks were very good. The civil society members and we will think about the proposals given by both sides and discuss them in our next meeting. But today's meeting was very good, very cooperative. There was no difference of opinion.''
Prashant Bhushan said the focus of Monday's meeting was the basic principles behind the Lokpal Bill. "The discussion was on essential features, objects and reasons of the bill, which has been prepared according to the main provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption," Bhushan said. The documents also highlight the need to set up an effective anti-corruption mechanism so that the faith of the people in the system remains intact, sources said.
Sources said civil society members impressed upon the government members in the panel that India as a signatory to the UN convention is bound to establish an effective system to tackle corruption.
“It could not be comprehended as to how the NSFs being brought under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act as Public Authorities---
“It could not be comprehended as to how the NSFs being brought under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act as Public Authorities and ensuring their accountability to people of the country and sports lovers, would amount to interference in their functioning. Seeking to prohibit nepotism by putting age and tenure norms, which are in total conformity to best practices followed and recommended by the top International Sports Federation, IOC would only add to the NSFs acceptance and credibility, rather than undermine their autonomy,” the statement said.
NSFs,ministry agree talks of d Draft Sport Devolopment Bill- When d govt wants to control, then there is a problem.We should discuss each point-3/5/11
NSFs, ministry agree to engage in talks
While Sports Minister Ajay Maken said he would await feedback from the committee set up to study the feasibility of the Bill, representatives of the NSFs and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) met members of the committee to register their objections. The committee includes Mukul Mudgal, retired chief justice of the High Court of Punjab, Jhanja Tripathi, secretary and executive director Railways Sports Promotion Board, former athlete Ashwini Nachappa and joint secretary in the ministry Injeti Srinivas. Former All-England champion Prakash Padukone, also part of the committee, was unable to attend.
Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the interim president of the Indian Olympic Association, had made it clear on Sunday after a meeting involving NSF representatives that they would reject the bill “outright.”
However, on Monday, there were signs of a less rigid outlook. “We will decide afterwards. This bill will go to the Parliament. It will take a long time to pass. It is not easy for the government to run sports in India without federations,” he said.
Senior lawyer RK Anand, representing IOA, agreed it would be difficult but said there should be discussions to find a way out. “When the government wants to control, then there is a problem. Ideally, we should discuss each and every point and then we should bring the bill. Ultimately every party has to agree,” he said after meeting the committee members.
The NSFs are opposed to the age limit of 70 for office bearers and reservation of 25 per cent membership and voting rights for sportspersons. Incidentally, the Sports Ministry had earlier released a statement stating that up to 24 federations had accepted the sports bill, but Malhotra said the consent had been given under pressure.
In a statement, Maken questioned how a legislation aimed at bringing about transparency in election procedures through secret ballot and pre-determined declared electoral colleges could in any way result in interference.
“It could not be comprehended as to how the NSFs being brought under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act as Public Authorities and ensuring their accountability to people of the country and sports lovers, would amount to interference in their functioning. Seeking to prohibit nepotism by putting age and tenure norms, which are in total conformity to best practices followed and recommended by the top International Sports Federation, IOC would only add to the NSFs acceptance and credibility, rather than undermine their autonomy,” the statement said.
Nachappa, however, said all issues were open for discussion. “This is not the final bill. If it was so rigid then no stakeholder should have been asked to come and discuss. The motive is to discuss and bring improvements in the bill. There will be people who will be objecting, especially who are running the federations from the last 40 years, but I believe if there are any positive changes in Indian sports we should look for it.”
