Goa’s wealthiest sports body, the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) which is headed by Goa’s former Law Minister Dayanand Narvekar has claimed that it does not come under the purview of the Right to Information Act.
Declining to furnish the information sought under the RTI, the Goa Cricket Association Secretary Mr. Prasad Phaterpekar has stated that the Goa Cricket Association has not received any financial assistance from the Goa Government or Sports Authority of Goa. The Goa Cricket Association Secretary has further stated that the Goa Cricket Association is not registered with the Sports Authority of Goa and that RTI Act is not applicable to the Goa Cricket Association. However this is contrary to the information given by the Sports Authority of Goa and the Directorate of Sports on the financial aid and other government assistance given to the Goa Cricket Association. The Directorate of Sports has informed that the department has leased land admeasuring 1, 30,328 sq mts at Tivim to the Goa Cricket Association for construction of International Cricket stadium. The land has been leased to the Goa Cricket Association for a period of 99 years for a nominal rent of Rs 50,000/- per annum. The Sports Authority of Goa has informed that Rs 50 lakhs by way of financial assistance was given to the Goa Cricket association in the year 2000. The amount was however refunded back by the Goa Cricket Association in 2003 but the Goa Cricket Association has till date not refunded back the interest due of Rs 10, 330, 42/- despite being sent constant reminders. Other Sports associations including the Goa Football Association have been furnishing information sought under the Right to Information Act. The order of the Goa Cricket Association refusing to furnish information under the RTI Act will be challenged before the appropriate authority. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Goa-launch of the well-received *Into The Diaspora Wilderness* by Selma Carvalho on Aug 29, 2010 (Sunday) at 11 am at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Meet the author, buy a signed copy (only Rs 295 in Goa till stock lasts). http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
