Cutting across party lines, Lok Sabha members on Tuesday demanded firm action and if needed, a new law, to enable the Government to check corruption in sports bodies.Members shouted ‘‘shame, shame’’ as BJP deputy leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra raised the issue of an alleged acceptance of bribe by Indian Hockey Federation secretary Jothikumaran during Zero-Hour. ‘‘The country has been shamed,’’ Malhotra said while demanding that criminal proceedings be initiated against Jothikumaran.The BJP member did not share the view that sports bodies were autonomous and the Government could not intervene in their affairs. He said the Government nominates an Arjuna awardee in every body. He suggested the Government and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sit together and devise ways to ensure that such a situation (an office-bearer taking bribe) does not recur. He said the Government should conduct an inquiry and take strong action in the matter.Senior SP member Mohan Singh sought to know if the Government has given autonomy to sports bodies for wrongdoing.
