MoU termination: Court suspends YAS Director's letter
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 07 2021:
The High Court of Manipur has suspended the letter issued by the Director of Youth Affairs and Sports on December 5, 2020 terminating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning an artificial turf constructed at the eastern side of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
The development came after the All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) petitioned the High Court of Manipur against the letter terminating the MoU entered amongst the AMFA, All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Director, Youth Affairs and Sports on June 9, 2010.The MoU consisting of 8 articles was signed for the implementation of a scheme called 'Win India With India Project of FIFA', on the basis of which the artificial turf was constructed.
The MoU was however terminated by the Director of YAS on December 5, 2020 citing that AMFA has violated Article 6 of the MoU which contain clause for constitution of maintenance committee comprising of Government representative and AMFA officials for the overall development of the turf and transparency on revenue collection from using the artificial turf among others.
Notably, the YAS Director on November 23, 2020 had asked AMFA to furnish the income generated from utilising the turf in the last five years within 5 days as spelt out in the MoU.
The letter informing the termination of the MoU was thus served on the ground that AMFA has failed to respond to the matter.
The Court, during the hearing of the petition conducted via video conference on February 5 last, admitted that the turf was being maintained by AMFA although it was to be maintained by the committee comprising the three parties as per Article 6 .
The issue was about the revenue generated from the said turf, the Court admitted while ordering to serve notice returnable on February 24 to the three respondents including the State of Manipur.
The Court, as an interim measure and in the interest of football players in the State, also said that the letter issued by the Director of YAS regarding termination of MoU shall remain suspended till the next date.
While further permitting the AMFA (petitioner) to organise the 1st AMFA Cup 2021 in the second week of February 2021 at the artificial turf, the Court ordered that the revenue generated from the tournament shall be kept in a separate account.
The Court also ordered to make sure that the copies of the order be sent to the counsels appearing for the parties through WhatsApp or email.