New Delhi, May 28:
The war of words between Indian Olympic Association’s top two officials continued with president Narinder Batra claiming that the body’s constitution gives him the authority to form a committee or commission, subject to approval by the Executive Council or the General Body.
On Tuesday, IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta had described Batra’s May 19 decision to dissolve the Ethics Commission, formed in 2017, as “illegal”.
Mehta had said that the term of the Commission under the Ethics Rule, which was approved at the General Body meeting in 2018 and signed by Batra, was four years and the president cannot dissolve it two years prior.
But, Batra said under the IOA constitution, he has the authority to appoint or remove members of a commission.
“I do not find any mention in Rule 18.3 of involvement of Secretary General and/or the President is bound to take advice from Secretary General to form any Committee/Commission,” Batra said.
“The AGM or the General House has to work within the boundaries drawn by the constitution and is bound by the Constitution and if any time the AGM or EC violates the Constitution then the Constitution shall definitely prevail,” he added.
Batra said all his decisions to form the committees and commissions were taken as per Rule 18.3 of IOA constitution, and hence, are valid and within the power and authority of the president.
“It is well established that the authority which has the authority to appoint also had the authority to remove. In the present case the IOA EB on recommendation of IOA President on 27th March, 2019 approved for the tenure of the Ethics Commission only up to end of 2019. (PTI)
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