In an unprecedented step, the sports ministry on Friday suspended the deemed recognition granted by it to the IOA, until the body takes back its decision to appoint the duo as life presidents.
Finally, the axe has fallen on Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for honouring the tainted duo of Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala.
In an unprecedented step, the sports ministry on Friday suspended the deemed recognition granted by it to the IOA, until the body takes back its decision to appoint the duo as life presidents.
This came soon after the expiry of deadline for IOA to answer the show cause notice a day earlier. Sports minister Vijay Goel called a hurried press conference to announce the decision, which would stop all the financial assistance and other privileges bestowed on IOA with immediate effect.
Instead of replying to show cause notice by the five pm deadline, the IOA sought extension of time up to January 15, 2017 with an excuse that its president N Ramachandran was out of the country and they needed to consult him.
The ministry was not satisfied with the reply and termed it a mere ploy to "buy more time".
"Ministry is not satisfied with the response of IOA since they have not given any substantive reply especially with regard to the non-eligibility of Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Chautala," a statement stated.
The statement also claimed that the IOA committed violations of ethics in appointing Kalmadi and Chautala life presidents.
"Although the government has utmost respect for the Olympic Charter and is committed to protecting the autonomy of sports, it cannot remain a mute spectator to blatant violation of principles of ethic and good governance by IOA, thereby putting the image and prestige of the country at stake," the statement read.
"IOA will remain suspended till they completely chuck out Kalmadi and Chautala. This is the policy of this government and we will not tolerate any nonsense. What was the need for Ramachandran to go out of the country if the show cause notice was issued to the body that he was heading?" asked Goel.
Batra resigns in protest
Ministry's action came hours after International Hockey Federation (FIH) president-elect Narinder Batra resigned as associate vice-president of the IOA to protest the scam-tainted duo's elevation.
"I am disturbed about the development in IOA AGM in Chennai on December 27. I am told by the members present in the AGM that this particular discussion, i.e. nomination of life president, took place as last item in 'any other item' and was proposed and approved in a total of one minute without any discussion," Batra said in a letter to IOA president and secretary general Rajeev Mehta.
Suspension threat looms again
The latest developments could again put India's membership in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in jeopardy. Having been suspended for two years, between 2012 to 2014 — the sports ministry's latest missive could well be used as "governmental interference" by IOA's old war horses to use "tried and tested" weapon of suspension.
It will now be up to the ministry to satisfy the IOC's top brass and make them understand that "whatever is being done has been done as per IOC's own provisions". The last time when IOA was put under suspension, it was because charge-sheeted official, Lalit Bhanot, was elected as secretary in 2012 elections.
It is another matter that Kalmadi declined to accept the post and Chautala has agreed to follow his footsteps with some pre-conditions.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Vijay Goel")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}