Ludhiana: To,The Sports Minister, Punjab,Chandigarh ,April 12, 2007
Kind attention of Honorable Gulzar Singh Ranike
Reference: To previous Attorney General Mr. Cheema’s advice dated 26-02-07. It pertains to Punjab Cricket Stadium, Mohali; and its officials.
Subject: In light of the CBI recommendations; Mohali Cricket Stadium should be taken over by the government, and the guilty brought to book. Dear Sir:
I myself have been a sportsman and an ardent sports fan. The only thing, I long for is a level playing field for all sportsmen. Sadly, cricket in Punjab is at the mercy of just two individual’s former IAS officer I. S. Bindra and his disciple PCS officer M. P. Pandove.
What pains me the most is that this duo has attained a greater stature then the game. The players who sweat under the scorching Sun and brave the cold winters, through-out the year, are mere sacrificial goats. A perfect recipe for disaster; administrators are the demigods, and the poor sportsperson a pawn.
I will draw your kind attention to some facts.
* There exists with the AG’s office enough evidence; both, the recommendations of CBI inquiry and the attorney general’s advice. It is self-explanatory; therefore, I do not wish to elaborate on it further.
* PCA is a friend of every government in power, you may have guessed why?
* PCA is dominated by an IAS lobby, which is carefully chosen by the crafty I S Bindra. Members are handpicked from departments to which Mr. Bindra is most vulnerable. I will name a few of them.
o PUDA: Mr. Bindra is the architect of an illegal lease deed. It was signed by him, on one hand as Secretary Sports Punjab, and on the other as President PCA. The lease pertains to over 13.56 acres of PUDA land, for which PCA pays a meager sum of Rs. 100/ per acre annually. Additionally, PCA has encroached over 2.61 acres of PUDA land.
o A sum of Rs. 10.15 crores, belonging to Department of Sports Punjab, was transferred by him to PCA.
o Excise and Taxation Punjab: From them each year, he gets entertainment tax exemption, running in to crores of rupees. In the year 2000; PCA faced government takeover, for not paying Rs. 3, 20, 00, 000/=. No action was ever taken why? Because Mr. Sudhir Mittal, Punjab Excise and Taxation Commissioner, was the Treasurer of PCA.
o Personnel having close proximity with the CM’s office: Ministry of Personnel, Govt. of India; in 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2006 had asked the state to initiate and complete departmental action against Mr. Bindra; hence their support is essential for Bindra’s survival.
A sports body should be dominated by experienced, retired players, and not an IAS lobby. The most significant aspect of all is that the inquiry against Mr. Bindra and PCA was initiated by the previous government. Subsequently, the attorney general has put on record recommendations, which include the takeover of the stadium by the government. Under such circumstances, there cannot be any opposition from the Congress.
Need of the hour is to put into practice; recommendations of the CBI, and the attorney general’s office. This one act alone will permit talent and hard work to bloom, once again. You, yourself will be surprised to see smiles return, upon the faces of countless young innocent souls. They will start to believe in their dreams.
Mr. Bindra has been at the helm of PCA for more than two decades. Despite, PCA’s coffers brimming with cash, not even a single academy has been opened in the whole state. Cricket has not traveled beyond the precincts of Mohali. Chandgiarh is the only gainer.
I wish to forewarn you, as in the past, wily Bindra will use every trick in the book to save his skin. His connections, with the high and mighty, have always come to his rescue. Despite truck load of evidence against him, he remains untouched by the law.
What ever decision you reach, it is your prerogative. But I beseech you to keep in mind; this is one in a life-time opportunity to rid sports of administrators, who do not see anything beyond themselves. I profusely wish Bindra has run-out of luck.
Thank you,
Sarabjit Singh Kahlon
Kahlon Villa, Opp. Tel. Exchange VPO Bhattian-Bet.
Ludhiana.
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