IOA chief shoots down Batra's SGM demand

CHENNAI: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief N Ramachandran on Friday dismissed Hockey India (HI) president Narinder Batra's demand to call for a Special General Meeting (SGM) stating that the latter hasn't been able to produce the requisite numbers to even a propose a no-confidence motion.
"It's unfortunate that you have failed in furnishing to me the letters that you claim to have received from the member units calling for a SGM to consider the no-confidence motion.The total number of letters received by the IOA till date from the member units do not exceed 20, several of these letters also suffer from infirmities. The rules clearly mandate a written requisition to be sent to the president signed by the presidents and secretaries of not less than 50 per cent member units. In these circumstances, the SGM cannot be called and consequently all the letters received are null and void. Please treat this chapter as closed," reads an excerpt from Rama chandran's letter addressed to Batra on Friday.
The total number of units is 74 and Batra needs a minimum of 37 so that an SGM can be convened to propose a no-confidence motion.
Ramachandran, who slapped Batra with a Rs 10 cr defamation notice on June 22 following the latter's allegations of bribery allowing him 15 days to respond, said, "I'm determined to go ahead with the defamation charges since my reputation and integrity have been brought to question."
Speaking to the TOI before leaving for Antwerp, Batra remained defiant. "I will not give in to the IOA chief's demand of submitting all the letters in my possession. He is free to take legal recourse if he pleases. As far as the defamation notice is concerned, I will respond to it suitably following my return to India on July 8."
This effectively implies that Batra would respond to the defamation charges following the expiry of the 15-day duration that the notice stipulates which would in turn warrant Ramachandran to resort to legal action.