Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha on April 8 hit back at the revolting Executive Council members. She said that they attempted to sideline her by their acts of defiance and issuing a termination letter to Executive Assistant, Captain Ajay Kumar Narang (Retd), who was officially appointed by her. She went on to say that it is disheartening to see that we are still not able to work as a team.
"It is disheartening to see that we are still not able to work as a team and each of your acts is an attempt to sideline me," Usha said in a strongly-worded letter to the revolting EC members.
Nine EC members on April 5 signed a notice which directly pointed at two recently-appointed officials. The notice mentioned that an unauthorised person should not enter its headquarters. In response, PT Usha said that hiring and firing of staff is not the duty of the Executive Council.
"I am left with no option but to remind you all that the day-to-day administrative functions including hiring and firing of staff is not the job of the Executive Council. As the EC, we should be using our powers and rights for much more important aspects of taking the IOA to heights," PT Usha said.
Usha acknowledged that EC members served the receipt of the termination letter to Narang but rejected it as ‘absolute nullity’.
“It is directed to the IOA staff to remove any copies of the notice posted within the IOA Bhawan. Further, the IOA staff is instructed to follow guidance and directives from my office via my executive assistant,” PT Usha further added.
The internal dispute in the IOA came out in public in January and is still continuing with only three months left for the Paris Olympics, which is scheduled to begin in July.
Usha further said that the continuation or termination of Narang, who was picked on June 7, would only be based on her recommendation.
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The legendary track athlete who is also a sitting Rajya Sabha member said that he is satisfied with the work of Narang and does not have any reason to terminate his services.
"I am satisfied with the work done by Captain Ajay Kumar Narang (Retd) and do not find any reason to terminate his services," said the legendary track athlete.
The salary of the CEO is the reason for the feud between Usha and the majority of the EC members. CEO’s salary is Rs 20 lakh per month plus allowances and a total CTC of around Rs 3 crore per annum. EC members have claimed that the IOA president ‘unilaterally’ decided on the matter.
Replying to it, Usha said that EC members suggested a renegotiation of the remuneration fixed for the CEO and it was reduced by over 30 per cent of the earlier agreed pay. She also warned EC members that the IOA may suspend India if they continue to act defiant.
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