Question : BCCI UNDER RTI

(a) whether the Government proposes to bring various sports associations/federations including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under the ambit of the Right to Information Act, 2005;

(b) if so, the response of the said sports associations and BCCI in this regard;

(c) the time by which the sports associations/federations are likely to be brought under the ambit of the RTI Act;

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to bring transparency and accountability in the functioning of sports federations and BCCI;

(e) whether the Government has given any authority to BCCI to represent India in International sports events; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) to (d) Government, in April, 2010, declared all the NSFs receiving grant of Rs.10.00 lakhs or more in a year from the Government as Public Authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI, 2005. However, the BCCI has been refusing to declare itself as a public authority on the plea that it does not receive any financial grant from the Government.

The matter to bring the BCCI under the RTI Act is pending before the Central Information Commission (CIC) and the Government has already submitted its written submission before the CIC pleading to bring the BCCI under the RTI Act. CIC issued notice to all concerned for adjudicating the matter on 25th & 26th July, 2013. However, Hon’ble Madras High Court vide order dated 24-07-2013 issued interim stay on the said proceedings.

The Government has also formulated a draft of the National Sports Development Bill, 2013 to bring all the National Sports Federations and the BCCI under the RTI Act with the provision of exclusion clause of protecting personal/confidential information relating to athletes. Views of General Public and all the Stake holders have been sought on the draft of the National Sports Development Bill, 2013. Since some of the issues need detailed deliberation and consultations among various Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and other stake-holders, it is not possible to indicate a definite time frame for enactment of the said Bill.

(e) & (f) Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act. Although BCCI has not been recognized by the Government, the International Cricket Council (ICC) recognizes BCCI as the apex National Federation responsible for promotion of cricket in India. Therefore, the team selected by BCCI is considered as the Indian Team. The Ministry only grants permission to BCCI from sports angle for participation of Indian Cricket Teams in International events abroad and holding International Cricket Matches in India at No Cost to the Govt. subject to the clearance of Ministry of External Affairs from political angle and Ministry of Home Affairs from security angle.