Patna, April 1: Sports in Bihar will henceforth be controlled by an all-powerful council.

The Assembly today passed the Bihar Sports (Sport Bodies Registration Recognition and Regulation) Bill, 2013, triggering accusations by the Opposition that the government was trying to “take control” of sports associations in the state.

The legislation seeks to put various sports associations under stringent scrutiny. For this, a body called the Bihar State Sports Council is being set up, to be headed by the secretary of art, culture and youth affairs.

The bill also makes mandatory audit of associations, holding of elections every four years, issuing a sports calendar on a yearly basis and staging two tournaments every year. Above all it prohibits associations from using the word “Bihar” in their names unless the sports council permits them to do so.

The new norms will be applicable to existing associations as well.

Leader of Opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who heads the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) apart from being the national vice-president of the Badminton Association of India, said it was a “black day” for Bihar sports.

“The government wants to take over sports associations,” he thundered, alleging that the legislation was formulated in a hurry by opening the office of the sports department on Holi. “Yesterday I had talked to BJP leader Arun Jaitley (actively associated with cricket administration). He also disapproved of the move,” Siddiqui said, alleging that the bill seeks to take away autonomy in sports and hand over control to officials.

Siddiqui dealt in detail about the battle going on in Bihar over cricket where three associations are staking claim on the sport.

Ever since the bifurcation of the state, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not granted Bihar full membership and Jharkhand still calls the shots when it comes to Bihari cricketers. RJD chief Lalu Prasad was made the president of the BCA when his party was in power in the state. However, BCCI recognition eluded it. Siddiqui took over from Lalu and the BCA was granted associate membership of the BCCI. However, the tussle for taking over the cash rich cricket association has been going on ever since 2007. The RJD believes that the bill is aimed at throwing it out of the associations where its clout is strong.

Sports minister Sukhda Pandey went ahead with the procedures for clearing the bill, stressing that it was aimed at promoting sports in the state. “What is wrong in asking associations to hold elections and get themselves audited?” she asked.

Saying that the bill’s rightful place was in the dustbin, Siddiqui tore the legislation into pieces.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar accused Siddiqui of trying to create confusion over the bill. “It shows a conflict of interest,” he alleged, stressing that he had always been in favour of politicians and businessmen remaining outside sports associations. Nitish said he had also spoken to Jaitley on this bill before it was presented in the House.

Bihar Players Association president Mritunjay Tiwari said the government should instead focus on strengthening sports infrastructure. “The government’s announcements of constructing stadiums at all district headquarters and an astro-turf stadium in Patna are yet to materialise,” he said.