In one of the most intriguing and surprising moves, the sports ministry has made it mandatory for all National Sports Federations (NSF) to become Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) to be eligible for grants from the government.
The move, aimed to bring more transparency and accountability in the federations, has not gone down well with them as they fear whatever autonomy they had will be curtailed once they sign in to the Niti Aayog’s NGO-Partnership System (PS) portal. And there are areas which are not clear.
What makes this bizarre is that certain Sports Ministry and SAI officials are not sure about the long-term implications of this move. In a letter dated October 24, the Sports Ministry told all the federations to sign in to the portal. “Niti Aayog has categorically stated that NSFs are to be treated as NGOs”, said a Sports Ministry circular dated September 30, 2016.
What has baffled some of the federations is that even after they started following the Sports Code, the ministry has asked them to be treated like NGOs. If this happens, they will be governed by guidelines and rules for NGOs. “In case of default of funds by an NGO or in case the NGO ceases to exist the ministry/department may consider acquiring assets created from the grants-in-aid given to the NGO,” says one. Government sources say since NSFs are registered under Societies Act or Companies Act, they are NGOs.
However, they were not governed by NGO guidelines. All NSFs who register will be under Lokpal and Lokayukta Act if they get grants above `1 crore. Also, NSF officials can be booked under Prevention of Corruption Act if there are financial irregularities. Indian Olympic Association president N Ramachandran did not say much except that whatever complaints they have received would be addressed at the executive committee meeting on November 4 in Chennai. A government source indicated that since Niti Aayog will release funds, it might evaluate and monitor the performance of each NSF.
Some areas need clarity Some of the federations have sought legal counsel, while others have approached the Indian Olympic Association for further perusal. As of now, if officials in the SAI and Sports Ministry are to be believed, there are a few areas where more clarity is needed. |