Oppn MPs criticise mention of amount spent by govt on Vinesh Phogat's training
New Delhi, Aug 7: The opposition MPs on Wednesday criticised the mention of the amount spent by the government on training of wrestler Vinesh Phogat while making a statement on her disqualification from the Paris Olympics.
In a statement in the Lok Sabha, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the government had provided all possible assistance to Phogat according to her requirement which included personal staff.
Mandaviya said a total financial assistance of Rs 70,45,775 was given for the Paris Olympic cycle.
In the Lok Sabha, the opposition MPs criticised the mention of the amount by the minister in his statement.
Congress MP Shafi Parambil expressed strong disapproval of the minister's statement.
"I don't think it was right on the part of the government to quote the amount spent on her practice when the whole world was listening. This is not BJP leaders' personal wealth. It's the money of the people," Parambil said.
"Our responsibility was to show solidarity with her, not to detail every expense. Today was not the day to announce how much we spent or where we sent her for practice. The government should have supported her, not done what the federation has done over the past year," he added.
Reflecting on Phogat's struggles, Parambil recalled her year-long protests against the federation, where she slept on pavements for 40 days, was beaten and dragged by the police and almost immersed all her medals in the Ganga.
Despite these challenges, she underwent knee surgery and fought her way through an unforgiving qualification process to become the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for three successive Olympics.
"Our responsibility was to stay behind her, to support her, not to do what the federation has done to her in the last year. Now the government must ensure that all steps are taken to ensure that she gets her berth back," Parambil said.
Lok Sabha MP Chandrashekhar Azad also criticized the government's approach, questioning the necessity of mentioning the financial support.
"The minister said we gave so much money...did you do charity?" Azad asked.
RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal emphasized the need for the issue to be raised on appropriate platforms.
"Only tweeting won't serve the purpose," Beniwal said, stressing the importance of government support and action.
"When Vinesh was disqualified, it felt that I have been stabbed. I spent nights and took bullets during those protests...I still remember that period. Our demand was that government clears its stand but nobody paid any heed. If Vinesh would have got a medal, country would have been proud. Question is what mistakes were done that her weight increased and people in the system didn't get to know. This is an issue to think...important it is...it pertains to country's daughter," he said.
If money has been spent on sportspersons, it is not BJP leaders' father's money...it is Indian citizens' money.
— southindian (@southin17858628) August 7, 2024
@INCIndia MP #shafiparambil Reply to BJP minister who said "money was spent on Vineshku Phogat"#ParisOlympics2024 #phogatvinesh #vinesh #wrestleparis pic.twitter.com/e3UuehkOL6
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BJP, TMC hail SC directions on counting of votes for West Bengal polls
Kolkata (PTI): The BJP and TMC on Saturday both hailed the SC directions on the Election Commission's circular over the deployment of central government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.
The apex court on Saturday said no further order was necessary on the TMC's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's dismissal of its petition against the April 13 circular.
In a social media post, BJP leader Amit Malviya said, "In yet another legal setback, the Supreme Court has refused to intervene. The Trinamool Congress had approached the court challenging the exclusion of state government employees from vote-counting supervisor duties, and had sought an urgent hearing."
"The refusal to entertain this plea underscores a clear message -- attempts to influence or cast doubt over the integrity of the counting process will not find easy validation. Another day, another judicial rebuff for Mamata Banerjee," he added.
The TMC, however, claimed that the SC directions vindicated its stand.
"The issue raised before the Hon'ble Supreme Court pertained to the implementation of the said communication in a manner whereby only Central Government/Central PSU employees were being appointed as Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants for counting of votes," the party said in a statement.
The TMC said it was highlighted that such an interpretation and implementation of the communication would be contrary to the framework of a fair and balanced counting process.
"After hearing the parties, the Hon'ble Supreme Court directed that Clause 1 of the communication dated 13.04.2026, relating to the appointment of Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants, must be read along with the salient feature contained in the second page of the said communication, which provides for random selection of both State Government and Central Government employees," it said.
"The Hon'ble Supreme Court has further recorded the undertaking of Mr Dama Seshadri Naidu, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the Election Commission of India that the said communication shall be followed in its letter and spirit," it added.
The TMC said that in view of the directions, it is expected that the counting of votes shall be conducted in a fair, transparent, and balanced manner.
A special bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said the EC can choose the counting personnel, and its April 13 circular, which provides for deployment of state government employees as well, cannot be said to be incorrect.
The poll body said the apprehensions of TMC of any wrongdoing are misplaced, as the circular very clearly states that there will be a mix of central and state government employees.
The EC assured the court that the circular would be implemented in letter and spirit, and there would be state government employees also during the counting of votes on May 4.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal assembly was held in two phases -- April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes will be taken up on May 4.
On April 30, the Calcutta High Court dismissed the TMC's petition against the Election Commission circular, saying there was no illegality in the poll panel's decision to appoint counting supervisors and assistants from Central government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employees, instead of the state government staff.
