Lok Sabha Question No. 239 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-01
Subject: Paralympic Committee of India
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 239 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01/12/2016

## Paralympic Committee of India

- *239.   SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of various instances of nepotism and irregularities prevalent in the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI);
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  PCI  was  once  banned  by  the International Paralympic Committee in the past and the ban has been lifted only temporarily;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  reaction  of  the  Government thereto; and
- (e) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  such instances and ensure proper and transparent functioning of PCI?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.239 FOR REPLY ON 01-12-2016 ASKED BY SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY REGARDING PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE OF INDIA.

(a) to (e) Madam, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has been recognised by the Government as National Sports Federation for development and promotion of sports for the physically challenged sportspersons in the country. For the past few years there has been conflicts and disputes in the management of PCI.  Four elections have been held to elect  office  bearers  of  PCI  on  different  dates  between  2011  and  2015  by separate  groups.    Also,  during  this  period  there  were  several  allegations against  officials  of  PCI,  which  were  examined  and  appropriate  action  was taken in the matter.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) suspended PCI on 22-04-2015 due to internal conflicts and mal-governance. Pursuant to IPC's action, Government has also suspended PCI on 22.4.2015. The Ministry vide letter dated 21.5.2015 requested IPC to allow Indian athletes to participate under the National Flag of India which was agreed and IPC authorised Sports Authority of India (SAI) for sending the entries of the athletes for participation in various international events.

Subsequently  vide  letter  dated  03.06.2016  recognized  the  new set  of  office-bearers  of  PCI  elected  in  the  elections  held  on  08.10.2015. Following  this,  Government  has  also  granted  recognition  to  PCI  on  01-072016.  Although IPC has given recognition to PCI it has informed that PCI has to reform the governance and membership structure of the PCI in line with IPC  requirements,  in  the  interest  of  creating  a  sustainable  and  athlete focused organization.

In  order  to  bring  in  transparency  and  accountability  in  the functioning  of  the  various  National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  for  healthy development  of  sports  in  the  country,  Government  of  India  has  framed National  Sports  Development  Code  (NSDC)  of  India,  2011,  effective  from 31/1/2011 NSFs including PCI are required to comply with the provisions of NSDC for getting various concessions from the Government and retain their annual recognition.

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