Paralympians’ rights in officials’ kitty upset Maken

Taking a serious note of Indian Paralympian Farmaan Basha's allegation levelled against the officials of the Paralympic Committee of India [PCI], the sports minister Ajay Maken issued a show cause notice to the sports body on Friday and sought a reply within 15 days.

On Thursday, Farmaan Basha, a polio affected powerlifter, accused the PCI of benefiting from facilities which were not meant for them. The PCI officials are allegedly using free facilities meant for athletes at the Games Village in London, the venue of the ongoing Paralympic. 

'The PCI is directed to submit, within 15 days from the date of receipt of this show cause notice, a detailed reply, failing which it would be presumed they have no submission to make and action will be taken ex-parte,' the sports ministry said in a statement.

'On the basis of petitions received from Paralympians and others, show cause notice has been issued to PCI,' tweeted Maken. The onus is now on the PCI officials to explain why action should not be taken against the body.

On Friday, the Arjuna Awardee said that he was not even allowed to bring his wife to the venue after his event. 'Despite being under emotional trauma, I managed to finish fifth. When I asked for a pass for my wife, who's legally my escort, I was denied since PCI wanted to punish me for complaining against them. The escorts and coaches are stranded outside the Games Village and aren't even allowed to meet the sportspersons.' 

The sports ministry said on Friday, 'There was poor coordination and mismanagement in the Indian contingent which went to participate in London Paralympic Games due to the casual and callous approach of PCI officials. Sanctioned allowances were not disbursed to sportspersons and coaches on time and were disbursed only after repeated reminders by the government.'

The PCI officials, however, have denied the allegations.