Dharamshala/Bilaspur: Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh tour of three districts, which was ended today evening, was dominated by the HPCA issue and in every public meeting he didn’t forget to mention alleged irregularities in state cricket body and misdeed of Dhumal family during previous regime.
On the last day of his tour, Singh announced to introduce a Sports Bill and promised to establish a democratic set-up in every sports body including cricket. In a press conference at Dharamshala this morning CM said that sports Bill will be introduced soon and that would outline the term for elections in each sports body and ensure the right to vote for each member.
He claimed that the HPCA was the only sports body in the state where only life members and patrons could vote and general members did not have the right to vote. He also announced to conduct free and fair elections of the HPCA by granting all members the right to vote. He claimed that the state government had no intention to forcibly occupy any HPCA property and its properties would be handed over to it as soon as free and fair elections were held to elect new office-bearers of the association.
He asserted that state Govt won’t allow sports bodies to become the personal property of individuals. He stated that Govt leased out land to sports body to promote sport in the state and allow its budding sportsperson to showcase their talent and prepare them for bigger event. He said that it can’t be allowed that leased out land become sole properties of an individual and also won’t allow changing societies, which have been benefited from the state Govt, to any company.
Virbhadra Singh stated that Govt move won’t hamper the progress of Cricket in state and matches would be hosted at Dharamsala stadium as scheduled. He claimed that BCCI has not objected the move and IPL team Kings XI Punjab has also assured the state government to conduct their matches at Dharamsala.
In Bilaspur, Chief Minister also raised HPCA issue and stated that he has nothing personal against cricket body, but is against any state sports body becoming the personal property of only one family. The Chief Minister said that his Govt was in favour of encouraging sports, but wanted to ensure that state associations were run on sound democratic norms and according to rules and regulations with office-bearers be duly elected by voting.
