Sports Governance Bill Redefines Public Authorities Under RTI

The National Sports Governance Bill has been amended to clarify which sports bodies fall under the RTI Act, bringing clarification for entities like the BCCI. The amendment delineates that only organizations reliant on government funding fall under RTI, easing earlier apprehensions of bodies not funded by the government.

The Indian government's amendment to the National Sports Governance Bill has provided relief to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by narrowing the application of the Right to Information Act. Henceforth, only sports organizations dependent on government grants will be subject to transparency requirements under RTI.

This adjustment satisfies the BCCI, which has historically resisted inclusion under RTI due to its financial independence from government funding. The amended bill defines a 'public authority' as any entity receiving government assistance, thereby clarifying and limiting who must comply with RTI mandates.

The bill also introduces the creation of a National Sports Board and a Tribunal to strengthen governance and resolve disputes effectively. These measures aim to enhance accountability and bring about transformative changes as India prepares for significant international sporting events.

(With inputs from agencies.)