New Delhi, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Shaw on Monday said rebellious Executive Council members were trying to sideline him with their acts of insubordination, including issuing a termination letter to an official appointed by him .
On Friday, nine EC members had pasted a signed notice at the IOA office premises here, asking "unauthorized persons" not to enter its headquarters. The notice, which Usha described as "arbitrary", was directed at two recently appointed officials.
A majority of the EC members had earlier claimed that they had signed a suspension order declaring Raghuram Iyer's appointment as IOA CEO invalid in January. The EC members also claimed that they have removed Ajay Narang from the post of executive assistant to the IOA president.Usha acknowledged receipt of the dismissal letter given to Narang by the Election Commission members, but dismissed it as "completely meaningless".
"It is disappointing to see that we are still not able to work as a team and each of your actions is an attempt to sideline me," Usha said in her reply to the rebel EC members.
“I am left with no option but to remind you all that everyday administrative work, including recruitment and dismissal of staff, is not the job of the Executive Council. As the Election Commission, we must use our powers and authority. " More important aspects of taking IOA to greater heights,” she said."IOA staff have been instructed to remove any copies of the notice posted within the IOA building. Further, IOA staff have been instructed to follow guidance and instructions from my office through my Executive Assistant "
The internal discord in the IOA, which came to public notice in January, is still ongoing with three months left for the Paris Olympics to begin.
Usha said the continuation or termination of Narang, appointed on June 7, 2023, will be based only on his recommendation and not on "somebody else's whims".
“The termination documents are completely invalid.The appointment of the Executive Assistant to the President is not within the jurisdiction of the Executive Council and thus the termination is illegal and wrong.
The legendary track athlete, who is also a sitting Rajya Sabha member, said, "I am satisfied with the work of Captain Ajay Kumar Narang (retd) and see no reason to terminate his services."
He requested all EC members not to "exceed the powers and responsibilities conferred by the IOA Constitution and not in direct violation of its provisions".
"I once again urge you to start working as a team for the betterment of the athletes and the Olympic movement in India," she said.
Just days after Iyer was appointed CEO on January 6, 12 of the 15 EC members alleged that Usha "exerted pressure" on them to pave the way for his appointment, an allegation the great athlete described as "shameful". told.However, Iyer and Narang were discharging their official duties after being brought on board by Usha, who insisted that she had full confidence in the newly appointed CEO and would not go back on the decision to appoint him.
The CEO's salary, which is Rs 20 lakh per month and allowances (total CT is around Rs 3 crore per annum), is believed to be at the center of the tussle between Usha and most of the EC members, who have claimed that the IO chairman has taken matters into his own hands. But the decision was taken “unilaterally”.
Responding to the allegations, Usha said the appointment of the CEO was discussed at length in the EC meeting (in January) and the majority of members had "approved" it.
He said a majority of EC members recommended renegotiation of the fixed remuneration for the CEO citing shortage of funds in the IOA and it was "reduced by more than 30 per cent of the previously agreed salary".
Usha had also warned the EC members that the International Olympic Committee would intervene and suspend India if they continued to act disobediently.
On Friday, nine EC members had pasted a signed notice at the IOA office premises here, asking "unauthorized persons" not to enter its headquarters. The notice, which Usha described as "arbitrary", was directed at two recently appointed officials.
A majority of the EC members had earlier claimed that they had signed a suspension order declaring Raghuram Iyer's appointment as IOA CEO invalid in January. The EC members also claimed that they have removed Ajay Narang from the post of executive assistant to the IOA president.Usha acknowledged receipt of the dismissal letter given to Narang by the Election Commission members, but dismissed it as "completely meaningless".
"It is disappointing to see that we are still not able to work as a team and each of your actions is an attempt to sideline me," Usha said in her reply to the rebel EC members.
“I am left with no option but to remind you all that everyday administrative work, including recruitment and dismissal of staff, is not the job of the Executive Council. As the Election Commission, we must use our powers and authority. " More important aspects of taking IOA to greater heights,” she said."IOA staff have been instructed to remove any copies of the notice posted within the IOA building. Further, IOA staff have been instructed to follow guidance and instructions from my office through my Executive Assistant "
The internal discord in the IOA, which came to public notice in January, is still ongoing with three months left for the Paris Olympics to begin.
Usha said the continuation or termination of Narang, appointed on June 7, 2023, will be based only on his recommendation and not on "somebody else's whims".
“The termination documents are completely invalid.The appointment of the Executive Assistant to the President is not within the jurisdiction of the Executive Council and thus the termination is illegal and wrong.
The legendary track athlete, who is also a sitting Rajya Sabha member, said, "I am satisfied with the work of Captain Ajay Kumar Narang (retd) and see no reason to terminate his services."
He requested all EC members not to "exceed the powers and responsibilities conferred by the IOA Constitution and not in direct violation of its provisions".
"I once again urge you to start working as a team for the betterment of the athletes and the Olympic movement in India," she said.
Just days after Iyer was appointed CEO on January 6, 12 of the 15 EC members alleged that Usha "exerted pressure" on them to pave the way for his appointment, an allegation the great athlete described as "shameful". told.However, Iyer and Narang were discharging their official duties after being brought on board by Usha, who insisted that she had full confidence in the newly appointed CEO and would not go back on the decision to appoint him.
The CEO's salary, which is Rs 20 lakh per month and allowances (total CT is around Rs 3 crore per annum), is believed to be at the center of the tussle between Usha and most of the EC members, who have claimed that the IO chairman has taken matters into his own hands. But the decision was taken “unilaterally”.
Responding to the allegations, Usha said the appointment of the CEO was discussed at length in the EC meeting (in January) and the majority of members had "approved" it.
He said a majority of EC members recommended renegotiation of the fixed remuneration for the CEO citing shortage of funds in the IOA and it was "reduced by more than 30 per cent of the previously agreed salary".
Usha had also warned the EC members that the International Olympic Committee would intervene and suspend India if they continued to act disobediently.
