NEW DELHI: Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje could land into more trouble as the latest media reports suggest that she had recommended former IPL chief Modi for a Padma award in 2007.

According to a news report in Dainik Bhaskar, Lalit Modi was recommended for the Padma Award in 2007 by Vasundhara Raje led-Rajasthan government.

The Rajasthan Sports Council had recommended Modi’s name on July 28, 2007. Raje, in her first stint, was Rajasthan chief minister from 2003 to 2008.

Raje had reportedly forwarded Lalit Modi's name through the sports council on the ground of his vast business empire and his contributions in development of cricket in the state.

The Sports Council had recommended Lalit Modi’s name for his contributions to sports and business in the state. As per reports, council had sought application from Lalit Modi to recommend his name for the coveted award. Secretary of the council at that time, UD Khan, had reportedly sent the form for the award to the then Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) secretary, Subhash Joshi. Modi was president of the RCA at that point in time.

Council forwarded the form to Rajasthan chief secretary for further action. One recommendation for Modi was exclusively for him and his name was clubbed with international archer Limba Ram, when his name was sent for Padma awards. Government had cited how much money Modi had invested in the state and his contributions towards development of sports in the state. Modi had organized Champions Trophy in 2006.

However, Union government had ignored the state government recommendation for Padma award to Modi. Limba Ram was decorated with Padma Shri in 2012.

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Former Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) secretary Subhash Joshi said there was nothing objectionable about former IPL chief Lalit Modi being recommended for a Padma Shri award in 2007, as he was fulfilling his responsibility at that time.

"At that time, Lalit Modi was the president. The cricket work was going on well. Six international matches of the Champions' Trophy took place here and a world class academy was also built. So, a good amount of work was done. It is entirely upon the state government to decide whom to honour and how. Be it the government of Bharatiya Janata Party or CPM," he said.

"They recommend some names from their side from different sectors. Similarly, his (Lalit Modi) name was also recommended. So, it is not unusual and there is nothing controversial about it because good work happening at that time and all the newspapers praised it as well," he added.

Joshi further said that he fails to understand the issue in this because real work was done at that time.

"Moreover, it is completely upon the Central government to either accept or reject it. I don't understand how this has become an issue. Sending recommendation is a constitutional right of any state. I think it was all done as a part of the routine work," he added.

(With inputs from ANI)

