*New Delhi, Mar 30 : The Government today decided to bring all National Sports Federations (NSFs) receiving grant of Rs 10 lakh or more under the ambit of Right to Information Act.* * * In its order,''the government has asked all NSFs to immediately designate Central Public Information Officers and Appellate Authorities as per Section 5 of the RTI Act.'' The Government has issued this order after taking into consideration various issues including the fact that the National Sports Federations are doing a ''State'' function of preparation of national teams and their representation at international level as well as promotion of sports in the country.
''They receive special privileges and substantiallyfunding from the government for the purpose and hence are substantially financed by the government,'' the sports ministry said in a statement. The NSFs are further asked to fulfill their obligations of being a Public Authority, with respect of voluntary disclosure of information as per Section 4 of the above Act and send the compliance to the Ministry latest by April 15 this year along with making available the relevant information on their websites. The Communication also mentions that compliance to the above instructions is mandatory for an NSF to become eligible to receive Government grant under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations. Anilkumar BVN
