Recall Goel from Rio, Cong MPs ask PM

New Delhi, Aug 12: Amid controversy surrounding Sports Minister Vijay Goel during his visit Rio Olympics, Congress members today asked the Prime Minister to "recall" him from Brazil as the prestige of the nation was involved.

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During the Zero Hour, Pratap Singh Bajwa of Congress said since last evening, all national TV channel were showing the "conduct" of a minister, apparently referring to Union Sports Minister Goel. Goel has gone to Brazil in connection with the ongoing Olympics.

Bajwa wanted to raise the issue as a 'point of order', but Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said "that is an allegation and not a point of order".

[Goel defends self] [Goel defends self]

Bajwa who was being supported by other Congress members said the issue involves "the prestige of nation". He alleged that the organisers have termed it as "a shameful conduct of the Sports Minister".

"We request the Prime Minister to recall him. It is the prestige of nation which is involved," he said.

Satyavrat Chaturvedi of Congress also started saying something on the issue but could not be heard in the din as several other members too were speaking then.

Goel has rejected allegations of misbehaviour levelled against his entourage by the Organising Committee stating that nothing of that sort has happened.

Yesterday, Sarah Peterson, who is Continental Manager for Rio 2016 Organising Committee, in a letter to Indian Chef-de-Mission Rakesh Gupta, threatened to cancel Goel's accreditation on grounds of misbehaviour and trying to enter venues with his entourage without valid passes.

In her Zero Hour mention, Kumari Selja raised the issue of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna and complained farmers were being exploited, especially in Haryana.

She also wanted to know the role of the central government in the scheme as it has been named after the Prime Minister.

The Congress MP from Haryana said farmers were being compelled to pay premium under the crop insurance scheme to "benefit the corporates".

PTI