Vij promises probe against HCA

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, May 18

In what appears to be the beginning of trouble for the Haryana Cricket Association (HCA), Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij said on Wednesday that a high-level inquiry would be conducted into the allegations levelled against the state cricket body by former India cricketer Chetan Sharma. Vij made the announcement after Sharma submitted a written complaint, alleging corruption, nepotism, mismanagement and financial bungling in HCA, to him here today. 

“The rampant corruption in HCA could be unearthed only by a high-level inquiry into its functioning. HCA has received funds running into crores over the last seven years,” alleged Sharma. “I am sure the investigations would reveal that funds haven’t been used for promoting sports or developing infrastructure.” Sharma further alleged that no district association is getting any funds from HCA for the promotion of the game. “The Haryana government has suffered huge losses due to wrong policies and practices of HCA,” alleged Sharma.

After getting the complaint, Vij said, “Our government is committed to punishing the corrupt and a high-level inquiry would be conducted to look into the allegations.” 

About the allegations of corruption in other sports bodies in Haryana, Vij confirmed that he had received complaints regarding irregularities in some sports bodies and they were being looked into.  “I have directed the Registrar of Firms and Societies to investigate the legality, records and accounts of all such sports organisations. Only after getting a No-Objection Certificate from the Registrar, Firms and Societies, the sports organisations will be allowed to function in the future,” said Vij.