T.P. DasanKozhikode: The allegations of irregularities in the sale of Sports Lottery run by the previous LDF government were baseless and lacked credibility, said former president of the Kerala State Sports Council (KSSC) T.P. Dasan here on Saturday.
“The sports council could not be run as a petty shop as it is mandatory to maintain proper books of accounts of all financial transactions,” he said.
According to him, the explanation given by the KSSC secretary in reply to the State Local Fund Audit Report had dismissed any kind of financial irregularities and violation of rules in the sale of Sports Lottery.
“The report was submitted when Padmini Thomas was at the helm of the council. So it is evident that the allegations that the Council had incurred huge losses in the sale of sports lottery were baseless,” he said.
The LDF government introduced the sports super bumper lottery with an objective to mobilise funds for the development of sports in the State. The Sports council acted as only a provisional agent in the sales. The government could register a profit of about Rs 9.35 crore from the sale of lotteries. Apart from the budget allocation of Rs 3 crore, the Council was given an additional Rs 10.75 crore mobilised through the lottery scheme. It was the Sports Council’s responsibility to oversee the sales of lotteries from the Lottery Department to the three-tier local administrative bodies and organisations affiliated to the Council on credit basis. However, most of the local bodies failed to sell a large chunk of lotteries purchased on credit, he said.
“The department is yet to recover around Rs 1.35 crore from as many as 348 local bodies who purchased tickets on credit. Also, four district sports councils and six sports associations owe a total amount of Rs 8.87 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively. The KSSC has started recovering arrears of sports associations while dispensing grants to them. We had also recommended the government to initiate actions to recover dues from local bodies from the grants allocated to them,” he said.
Questioning the timing of Anju Bobby George’s remarks, Dasan said a person of her stature should have refrained from making such unsubstantiated allegations against the Council.
“We are ready to face any kind of investigation into the alleged irregularities. It is unfortunate that she has set a wrong precedent by appointing her husband as a coach. Most of the existing coaches lack required qualifications. I had tendered my resignation immediately after the UDF government took over in 2011. Members nominated by the previous government can opt for that since the new government would be looking to post people who represent its interests. Sadly, the UDF government brought back many coaches against whom sportspersons had levelled harassment charges,” he added.
