New Delhi, Aug 4 (PTI): The government on Wednesday said it had received requests from various quarters for conferring the Bharat Ratna on Sachin Tendulkar, adding that a proposal to confer the country’s highest civilian award to sportspersons was under consideration.
Minister of State for Home, Mullappally Ramachandran, said according to the President’s Secretariat’s notification (No 1 -Pers./55 dated 8-1-1955), Bharat Ratna is awarded for exceptional services in arts, literature and science and in recognition of public services of the highest order.
“A suggestion regarding modification in the existing eligibility norms has been received and is under consideration of the government,” he said in the Rajya Sabha when asked if the government proposed to amend the rules to confer the award on the cricketer.
Sports Bill
The Sports Ministry said it would introduce the National Sports Development Bill in the current session of parliament in a bid to bring transparency in sports administration.
“With a view to enforcing the principles of good governance and transparency in the administration of sports at the national level, the ministry has proposed to introduce a draft of the National Sports Development Bill in the current session of parliament,” Sports Minister Ajay Maken said in the Lok Sabha.
Maken said several responses had been received on the draft bill, which was placed in public domain in February.