State chess body in dire straits

Orissa State Chess Association (OSCA) seems to be in dire straits with Orissa High Court admitting a writ petition against it and the All India Chess Federation (AICF) constituting a committee to inquire into its affairs. Taking cognizance of the petition filed jointly by three affiliated district (Cuttack, Ganjam, Balasore) units, the High Court has sought separate replies from all the opposition parties, who include the State Director and Secretary of Sports, OSCA president A B Mohanty, working president K K Nath, secretary R S Mishra and the AICF. Meanwhile, the AICF in its Central Council Meeting at Chennai on Thursday last decided to constitute a three-member committee to look into the alleged irregularities OSCA and send a report to the AICF before deciding on the next step. The allegations raised the present state body include refusal to accept new membership from all the 30 revenue districts, illegal amendment of by-law, occupation of government quarter by the president and many more. We finally sought justice from the legal forum after trying our best to persuade OSCA officials to function in fair manner, said Cuttack District Chess Association secretary Vivek Tibarewal.