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Members of the IOC Executive Committee reportedly reduced the dearness allowance for India’s medical and support staff without the approval of president PT Usha. read more
 "Indian support staff members yet to be paid allowance due to IOA in-fighting, claims report")
The Indian contingent during the floating parade in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Reuters
Things aren’t quite as rosy with the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics despite a couple of bronze medals coming their way over the last four days, with the support and medical staff yet to receive their daily allowance due to reported infighting in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
According to a report on The Tribune, chief physiotherapist Dr Chris Pedra and sleep therapist Dr Monika Sharma are among members of the support and medical staff have not been paid meal charges and out-of-pocket allowance yet.
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The IOA was supposed to give $175 as dearness allowance to those who were being provided accommodation by host nation France, and $300 for those staying outside. IOA president and former Olympian PT Usha signed on a cheque that was to be distributed among the medical team and others.
However, treasurer Sahdev Yadav did not sign the same cheque and instead issued a different one with a reduced amount for the contingent, one that did not have Usha’s approval. Yadav instructed chef de mission Gagan Narang to use two forex cards worth €12,000 to distribute funds among those who were yet to be paid — $100 for meals and $50 as out-of-pocket allowance.
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Usha would later fire a letter in response questioning Yadav and members of the EC for taking a decision by themselves without her approval.
“Upon careful review of your letter, I must emphasise that no committee, office bearer, including the treasurer possess the authority to unilaterally adjust the rates of TA/DA as approved by the General Council of the IOA.
“In line with these regulations, I did not sign the cheques prepared by your office because the amounts indicated were not consistent with the approved DA rates currently in effect. It is imperative that we uphold the financial integrity and governance protocols as mandated by our association’s charter,” added the former sprinter, who had finished fourth in 400m hurdles in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
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