National Desk, February 4: The Indian Sports Ministry has suspended the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) with immediate effect, citing significant delays in conducting elections and non-compliance with established guidelines. This action comes after the PCI announced elections for a new Executive Committee would be held on February 28th, two months after the previous committee’s term expired on January 31st.
The Ministry highlighted that the PCI’s constitution mandates elections every four years and emphasizes adherence to the National Sports Development Code (NSDC) guidelines. They pointed out a circular issued in 2015 requiring elections to be held at least a month before the term’s end.
The Ministry views the delay as a “wilful” decision lacking justification and undermining democratic processes and good governance principles enshrined in the NSDC. They emphasize the importance of adhering to the Sports Code to ensure transparency and legal soundness within Indian sports governance.
While the PCI planned elections for February 28th, the Ministry deemed this insufficient and opted for immediate suspension. The future of the PCI and the election process remains uncertain pending further developments.
This suspension raises concerns about the leadership and governance within the PCI. The Ministry’s action underscores the importance of adhering to established regulations and conducting timely elections to ensure transparency and accountability in Indian sports administration.
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