Panjim Table Tennis Club flays Goa Table Tennis Association (GTTA) for refusing to furnish information sought by it under the RTI Act 2005.
Though the Government of Goa vide its Gazette Notification (Series III No. 15) has brought all Sports Associations registered with the Sports Authority of Goa(SAG) under the purview of the RTI Act, Goa Table Tennis Association has failed to provide information sought by the Club under the Act. Even basic information such as list of Life members and affiliated clubs, names of sundry debtors and creditors, minutes of its Annual General Meetings and Managing committee meetings, etc is not being furnished which clearly shows that the Association wants to continue its operations in a hush- hush manner and under a shroud of secrecy as it has done in the past, caring very little for transparency and democracy. This high handed approach by the office bearers of the Association, who are performing public functions but yet want to be answerable to none, is highly regrettable and condemnable. The Goa Table Tennis Association has been committing several illegalities, irregularities, financial mismanangement and other unconstitutional acts on a consistent and persistent basis and refusing to part with its information is a clear sign that this Association has lots to hide and does not want the skeletons to come tumbling out of all its closets. There is no reason why this Association which is substantially financed by the Government/ SAG and which has received grants in lakhs of rupees should not come under the RTI. Hence the Government/ SAG must initiate strict action against the Association for not adhering to the Government guidelines on the RTI Act. Given these severe violations and gross abuse of power and responsibilities, we urge the Government to take quick corrective actions which are necessary to bring greater transparency and accountability into the functioning of all our Sports Bodies. Thanking you, Yours sincerely Sandeep Heble Secretary, Panjim Table Tennis Club 9326129171