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IOA Executive Council Members Decline Allowance For Paris Trip

Worried that accepting the dearness allowance, which is higher than that of the athletes for the Paris Olympics, might damage their reputation, the IOA Executive Council members have decided to forgo such payments and instead make their own travel arrangements. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Council also emphasized that they do not rely on […]

IOA
IOA

Worried that accepting the dearness allowance, which is higher than that of the athletes for the Paris Olympics, might damage their reputation, the IOA Executive Council members have decided to forgo such payments and instead make their own travel arrangements. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Council also emphasized that they do not rely on government funds for international travel, as all members come from “sound backgrounds.”

According to budget estimates, IOA Executive Council members were set to receive USD 300 per day (approximately Rs 25,000). Additionally, they were to receive USD 1000 (around Rs 90,000) per day for accommodation during their five-day visit. This arrangement drew criticism as the athletes’ allowance was fixed at USD 50 per day, despite a sanctioned sum of Rs 2 lakh for each athlete who qualified for the Olympics.

Concerned about the negative public perception, the IOA Executive Council met on Sunday morning and decided to address the issue before the Indian contingent’s send-off ceremony at a city hotel.

“Yes, we discussed this issue. Most of the members agreed that we should not accept this allowance. A wrong message has gone to the public and it needs to be rectified,” an EC member told PTI on conditions of anonymity. “Actually, all the EC members are financially well-off. They don’t need to depend on the government funds for such travels. Each of us can manage it easily. And this 1000-1500 dollars amount does not make any difference to us.”

“Our senior Vice President Mr Ajay Patel is chairman of the Gujarat State Co-Operative Bank Ltd and other members are also financially sound. Do you think we are dependent on such amount? Honestly, we are not dependent on the government funds.”

The member also stated that the DA amount was not increased to USD 300 from USD 150, as has been reported.

“If you get the details checked, the DA amount was USD 300 even in Tokyo, it was nor raised for this edition of the Games. It was wrongly reported that the sum has been doubled for this edition,” the member asserted.

The Executive Council comprises 15 members, including two representatives from the Athletes’ Commission. IOA President PT Usha had requested approval from all members to sanction the budget estimates, but Treasurer Sahdev Yadav called for an EC meeting to discuss the matter before giving final approval.

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