NEWS
OTHER SPORTS
DIARY
PEOPLE
MATCH REPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Decision to honour Gavaskar challenged

A division bench of the Bombay High Court, comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabarwal and Justice S H Kapadia, today adjourned for a week a public interest litigation, challenging the Maharashtra government's decision to honour cricket star Sunil Gavaskar with the title 'Maharashtra Bhushan' and a cash prize of Rs five lakh.

The public interest litigation, filed by Ramesh Thackeray, brother of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, stated that the Maharashtra government had not laid down any guidelines to pay cash prizes to celebrities.

''In view of the present circumstances, with the country engaged in a border conflict with Pakistan in Kargil sector, and as per reports that India is having to spend Rs 20 crore everyday, the government has put off various public utility services for lack of funds. Therefore, the country cannot afford to pay such large amounts to celebrities without reason," the petition stated.

Ramesh Thackeray, in his petition, also stated that Sunil Gavaskar deserved to be honoured with the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' title, as he had brought honour to the state.

''My objection is the distribution of a large amount from the public exchequer since there is no logic or law behind it,'' he stated in his petition.

The Maharashtra government had announced that Gavaskar would be conferred the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' title with a cash award of Rs five lakh on June 26, 1999.