Credit: Twitter
In December last year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had donated INR 2.25 crores to the Constitution Club of India (CCI) for gym equipment. This club, situated at the Vithal Bhai Patel House in Delhi, is a “platform for interaction” for the present and past parliamentarians of India, as per a report published on August 7, Monday.
The Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla, is the President of the CCI, while Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister for Urban Development, is the Vice-President of the club. Furthermore, Harivansh Singh, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, is the General Secretary of the CCI, while Rajiv Shukla, the MP in Rajya Sabha, is the Sports Secretary of the club, according to the Times of India.
Also Read: BCCI should allow players to participate in CPL and other leagues, says veteran Robin Uthappa
The decision regarding the donation to the CCI was made in the Apex Council meeting of the BCCI, which took place on December 21, 2022. The minutes of the meet, available on the organisation’s website, has an Item Number 9, which reads, “Mr Jay Shah (BCCI secretary) apprised the members that the Constitution Club Of India (CCI) have requested for funds from the BCCI for the procurement of gym equipment.”
It goes on to state that “Based on the negotiation on the cost and availability of the documents, a final quote was submitted to the BCCI, which provided a final cost of Rs 2.27 crores. In this regard, it is suggested that a lump sum of Rs 2.25 crores be donated to CCI directly towards the purchase of gym equipment.”
“The members took note of the update and approved the lump sum donation of Rs 2.25 crores to CCI directly towards purchase of gym equipment,” the minutes further read.
The website of the CCI, which describes the club, has a note, which states that “The Constitution Club of India was opened in February 1947 with the objectives & purposes of fostering social contacts and providing usual amenities of a club life for the benefit of the members of the Indian Constituent Assembly. AND WHEREAS the Constitution Club of India has effectively emerged as an enviable forum providing platform for interaction amongst the past & present members of Parliament. ”
