In a decision that has brought much relief to the BCCI, the sports ministry has amended the RTI-related provision of the National Sports Governance Bill. The revised bill includes only those organisations that are dependent on government grants and assistance within its purview. The bill, which was brought by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya to the Lok Sabha on July 23, originally expressed in clause 15 (2) that "a recognised sports organisation shall be deemed to be a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 with regard to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers under this Act."&nbsp;The RTI has been a thorn in the side of the BCCI, which has consistently opposed being brought under it on the grounds that, in contrast to most other National Sports Federations (NSFs), it does not depend on funds from the government. The amendment in the bill actually remedies this issue.&nbsp;“The amended clause defines public authority as an entity that is relying on government funds or assistance. With this amendment, there is a clear definition of what is a public authority," a source was quoted as sayng by news agency PTI. “If this had not been done, it would have been a grey area that could have led to the bill getting held up or being challenged in court. So anything that involves public money will come under RTI. It defines the specifics," the source added.&nbsp;“And even if a national sports body is not taking government funds, it can still be questioned if government assistance of any kind is involved in the conduct or operation of its events. Because government assistance is not merely funds, it is also about infrastructure," the source explained. &nbsp;The BCCI had earlier said that it would review the bill before commenting on its provisions. Once it becomes an act, the BCCI will have to compulsorily register itself as an NSF, as cricket is to make its debut as an Olympic sport in the T20 format at the 2028 Games. &nbsp;The Bill has a provision for a National Sports Board (NSB) establishing a very stringent accountability system, mandating all NSFs to get the recognition from NSB for getting funds from the center. Another important feature is the National Sports Tribunal that will have the powers of a civil court to resolve disputes on matters as varied as issues of selection to election and federation versus athlete disputes, whose decisions can only be appealed in the Supreme Court.&nbsp;The Bill also grants some compromises on the age limit for administrators so that 70-75 years olds can be allowed to contest elections if they are so allowed by the statutes and byelaws of the respective international federations. This is a departure from the national sports code where the age limit was fixed at 70 years.&nbsp;“…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," reads the bill’s statement of objectives.&nbsp;The NSB will be chaired and have members designated by the central government from “amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing.” The selections shall be through recommendations by a search-cum-selection committee consisting of the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as chairperson, the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sports administrators who have held the posts of President, Secretary General, or Treasurer of a National Sports Body, and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, Khel Ratna, or Arjuna awardee.&nbsp;The NSB would be able to de-recognise a national body that is unable to conduct elections for its Executive Committee or has “committed gross irregularities in the election procedures.” Not publishing annual audited accounts or "misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" could also lead to action by the NSB, but it would have to refer the matter to the relevant global body before taking the action.

BCCI gets relief as sports ministry eases RTI provision in Governance Bill

In a decision that has brought much relief to the BCCI, the sports ministry has amended the RTI-related provision of the National Sports Governance Bill. The revised bill includes only those organisations that are dependent on government grants and assistance within its purview. The bill, which was brought by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya to the Lok Sabha on July 23, originally expressed in clause 15 (2) that "a recognised sports organisation shall be deemed to be a public authority under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 with regard to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers under this Act." The RTI has been a thorn in the side of the BCCI, which has consistently opposed being brought under it on the grounds that, in contrast to most other National Sports Federations (NSFs), it does not depend on funds from the government. The amendment in the bill actually remedies this issue. “The amended clause defines public authority as an entity that is relying on government funds or assistance. With this amendment, there is a clear definition of what is a public authority," a source was quoted as sayng by news agency PTI. “If this had not been done, it would have been a grey area that could have led to the bill getting held up or being challenged in court. So anything that involves public money will come under RTI. It defines the specifics," the source added. “And even if a national sports body is not taking government funds, it can still be questioned if government assistance of any kind is involved in the conduct or operation of its events. Because government assistance is not merely funds, it is also about infrastructure," the source explained. The BCCI had earlier said that it would review the bill before commenting on its provisions. Once it becomes an act, the BCCI will have to compulsorily register itself as an NSF, as cricket is to make its debut as an Olympic sport in the T20 format at the 2028 Games. The Bill has a provision for a National Sports Board (NSB) establishing a very stringent accountability system, mandating all NSFs to get the recognition from NSB for getting funds from the center. Another important feature is the National Sports Tribunal that will have the powers of a civil court to resolve disputes on matters as varied as issues of selection to election and federation versus athlete disputes, whose decisions can only be appealed in the Supreme Court. The Bill also grants some compromises on the age limit for administrators so that 70-75 years olds can be allowed to contest elections if they are so allowed by the statutes and byelaws of the respective international federations. This is a departure from the national sports code where the age limit was fixed at 70 years. “…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," reads the bill’s statement of objectives. The NSB will be chaired and have members designated by the central government from “amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing.” The selections shall be through recommendations by a search-cum-selection committee consisting of the Cabinet Secretary or Secretary Sports as chairperson, the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two sports administrators who have held the posts of President, Secretary General, or Treasurer of a National Sports Body, and one eminent sportsperson who is a Dronacharya, Khel Ratna, or Arjuna awardee. The NSB would be able to de-recognise a national body that is unable to conduct elections for its Executive Committee or has “committed gross irregularities in the election procedures.” Not publishing annual audited accounts or "misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds" could also lead to action by the NSB, but it would have to refer the matter to the relevant global body before taking the action.

The bill includes a provision for a National Sports Board to establish a stringent accountability system, requiring all NSFs to attain NSB’s recognition for access to central government funding

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that the RTI Act was a big milestone in the country's journey of democracy and has helped bridge the gap between the people and administration.

Addressing the 14th annual convention of the Central Information Commission (CIC) here, Shah said the Right to Information Act has also instilled confidence among people.

"I feel that in our democratic journey, RTI is a big milestone. We can provide good administration on the basis of transparency and accountability. RTI has helped a lot in giving a boost to transparency and accountability," Shah said.

He said the RTI Act has helped to bridge the gap between the people and the administration in the last 14 years.

"It has also increased the confidence of people towards administration," he said.

Shah said that the RTI Act has achieved its goals and instilled the confidence among the citizens.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that the RTI Act was a big milestone in the country's journey of democracy and has helped bridge the gap between the people and administration.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that the RTI Act was a big milestone in the country's journey of democracy and has helped bridge the gap between the people and administration. Addressing the 14th annual convention of the Central Information Commission (CIC) here, Shah said the Right to Information Act has also instilled confidence among people. "I feel that in our democratic journey, RTI is a big milestone. We can provide good administration on the basis of transparency and accountability. RTI has helped a lot in giving a boost to transparency and accountability," Shah said. He said the RTI Act has helped to bridge the gap between the people and the administration in the last 14 years. "It has also increased the confidence of people towards administration," he said. Shah said that the RTI Act has achieved its goals and instilled the confidence among the citizens.

RTI Act a milestone in India's democratic journey: Amit Shah

As per the latest Supreme Court directive, the maximum fee for filing applications under the Right to Information Act would be Rs 50. The apex court&#39;s order came on Tuesday and noted that the maximum charge for photocopying charges can only amount to Rs 5 per page.

The top court&#39;s order will be applicable to all institutions, including high courts, legislative assemblies and other government and autonomous bodies that come within the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

An NGO called Common Cause had moved the court noting that levying excessive fee for RTI applications would disincentivise and discourage the public from seeking information.

The Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha had increased RTI application fee to Rs 500 in the year 2011. The same was reduced to Rs 300 in 2016.

Officially, the fee for initiating an RTI application should ideally be just Rs 10.&nbsp;

The top court's order would be applicable to all institutions, including high courts, legislative assemblies and other government and autonomous bodies

As per the latest Supreme Court directive, the maximum fee for filing applications under the Right to Information Act would be Rs 50. The apex court's order came on Tuesday and noted that the maximum charge for photocopying charges can only amount to Rs 5 per page. The top court's order will be applicable to all institutions, including high courts, legislative assemblies and other government and autonomous bodies that come within the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. An NGO called Common Cause had moved the court noting that levying excessive fee for RTI applications would disincentivise and discourage the public from seeking information. The Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha had increased RTI application fee to Rs 500 in the year 2011. The same was reduced to Rs 300 in 2016. Officially, the fee for initiating an RTI application should ideally be just Rs 10.

Maximum fee for RTI application should not exceed Rs 50: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court in India has barred ministers and bureaucrats from holding posts in the country&#39;s cricket board (BCCI) as part of administrative reforms in the world&#39;s richest national cricket body. 
 
The apex court today accepted most of the recommendations of the Lodha Committee, a three-member panel it had appointed to look into the functioning of the BCCI, Board of Control for Cricket in India, which is perceived as a cash-rich but opaque body run by politicians and businessmen. 
 
In their report, submitted in January, former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha and two of his colleagues recommended age and tenure restrictions for top officials and cooling off period between successive terms for top officials among others. 
 
&quot;We allow most of the recommendations of the Justice Lodha panel on administrative changes in the BCCI,&quot; a two-judge division bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice F.M.I. Kalifulla, said in their order. 
 
&quot;Nobody above the age of 70 will be office bearer of the BCCI. A person cannot be simultaneously an office-bearer in the state cricket association as well as in the BCCI,&quot; the panel noted.&nbsp; 
 
In other recommendations, all of which would have to implemented within six months by the BCCI, the panel wanted the board to be brought under the Right to Information Act which would allow citizens to access information held by the board.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

World's richest national cricket body, BCCI, is perceived as a cash-rich but opaque body run by politicians and businessmen?

The Supreme Court in India has barred ministers and bureaucrats from holding posts in the country's cricket board (BCCI) as part of administrative reforms in the world's richest national cricket body. The apex court today accepted most of the recommendations of the Lodha Committee, a three-member panel it had appointed to look into the functioning of the BCCI, Board of Control for Cricket in India, which is perceived as a cash-rich but opaque body run by politicians and businessmen. In their report, submitted in January, former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha and two of his colleagues recommended age and tenure restrictions for top officials and cooling off period between successive terms for top officials among others. "We allow most of the recommendations of the Justice Lodha panel on administrative changes in the BCCI," a two-judge division bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice F.M.I. Kalifulla, said in their order. "Nobody above the age of 70 will be office bearer of the BCCI. A person cannot be simultaneously an office-bearer in the state cricket association as well as in the BCCI," the panel noted. In other recommendations, all of which would have to implemented within six months by the BCCI, the panel wanted the board to be brought under the Right to Information Act which would allow citizens to access information held by the board. (Reuters)

No more bureaucrats, ministers in national cricket board: India's top court