Uma Bharti denies PMOs interference

BHOPAL, AUG. 19. The Union Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Ms. Uma Bharti, today described as ``pure lies'', the allegation that there was interference from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in deciding the Arjuna Awards and other honours given by the Ministry. Addressing mediapersons, she said reports suggesting that phone calls were made from the PMO for choosing particular persons as recipients were not true. The Minister said she stood by all the decisions of the committee that had chosen sports persons for the awards, since she was its chairperson and added it had not committed a mistake by honouring Mr. Milkha Singh with the Life-time Achievement Award. He cannot be pressured to accept the award, she said.

Ms. Bharti, however, said she did receive letters from Chief Ministers, MPs and MLAs suggesting that people living in their areas be considered for the awards. There was nothing wrong in this, as they had the right to promote sports personalities in their areas, she added.

- PTI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : 18 elephants feared poisoned in national park
Next     : Uma Bharti 'hurt' over report