Goa chess election process unfair, says Heble Office-bearers post limited to two terms as per SAG guidelines
PANJIM: Several members of Goa State Chess Association have pointed out to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) to take appropriate action against the senior officials of the association due to alleged gross violations in the process leading to elections scheduled for April 28. Sandeep Heble, member of Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association, has alleged that there has been gross rigging, systematic manipulations and several other violations in the constitutional process. “Right from illegally amending the constitution and depriving voting rights to its members to forming the Taluka level associations by hand-picking own nominees who now occupy the top posts, there has been a planned and systematic rigging of the electoral process to suit personal interests, stated Heble in his letter. Heble has also mentioned that as per SAG guidelines dated 7/3/2011 issued to associations, no office- bearer should be allowed to hold term of office for more than two terms and after two terms fresh blood should be given the opportunity to hold office bearer’s post. “Since Keni has served three previous terms as president of GCA, as per the said SAG guidelines, he becomes ineligible to contest any further term and his nomination for the post of vice-president (South) must therefore be rejected,” added Heble. In any case, the SAG has all this while been a mute witness, even after Ramesh Tawadkar taking over as the Sports Minister, to the non-adherence and blatant flouting of the guidelines by many associations, with some of them not even holding elections regularly and office-bearers sticking to the posts as if it is their own, private property despite getting government grants from the Government. And then, there is the case of several associations who were dormant then and continue even in such a dismal state now. Some of them, in the past, were beneficiaries of huge government grants holding big events and rallies for which they received big grants, but now carry out no activity and neither receive grants showing no respect for the sportspersons, who are at the receiving end. If there is a difference in governance from the past, it must be seen now. It is time for Tawadkar to act fast even if the SAG’s general body meting has not taken place for over a year now. Heble stressed, “elections to various posts of the chess association are being held contrary to all well established principles of a free, fair and transparent electoral process in general and the model guidelines as prescribed by the SAG in particular.” The CM has also been urged to ensure that chess coach Sanjay Kavlekar, whose NOC has been already been revoked by the SAG, is not allowed to contest the elections for the post of secretary and in case he does so, than strict disciplinary action be taken against him. Heble has pointed out that Sanjay has allegedly violated CCS Rules and Government guidelines in the past by contesting two previous terms in the association without having obtained the requisite NOC from the SAG and further violations on his part be dealt with accordingly. Meanwhile, Arvind Mhamal has tendered his resignation from the post of secretary. Vinay Tendulkar, BJP president, is likely to contest for the post of presidentship. Source: Herald April 26 http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Sports/Goa-chess-election-process-unfair-says-Heble/73695.html
