Singh, a member of the IOC, is one of the leading officials set to be affected by the new Government proposal which limits the length of time senior officials are able to serve before being forced to step down.

The IOC reacted by sending a letter to the IOA warning them that Government interference could lead to disciplinary action, including being suspended from international competition.

The Government has announced that they are planning to send a senior official to the IOC's headquarters in Lausanne to discuss the situation.

Singh said: "The representative is free to visit the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, but he will be only told about what is already in the Olympic Charter.

"The books will not be made especially for India.

"I hope they get an understanding of the situation and re-consider their decision.

"The Olympic Charter is very clear.

"The whole problem has arisen because of a failure to understand it even though there are many brilliant brains in the country capable of studying it."

The Government are angry with Singh that he approached the IOC over the situation without consulting them.

They accused him of "having a conflict of interest on the issue in view of his 23-year-long continuous tenure as IOA secretary general and also an independent member from India on the IOC."

Singh said: "I have been blamed for approaching the IOC without consulting the Government, but then that is my job.

"I have been targeted unnecessarily.

"Members of the IOC will not accept from Governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote."

Singh quoted the relevant section of the Olympic Charter.

He said: "[The IOC member has] to inform the [IOC] President, without delay, of all events liable to hinder the application of the Olympic Charter or to otherwise adversely affect the Olympic Movement in his country or in the organisation of the Olympic Movement in which he serves."

Government officials have dismissed fears that they will be suspended by the IOC but Singh warned them that the threat was a real one.

He said: "Kuwait was banned earlier this year because of legislation in Parliament.

"Little could be done despite the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) being from Kuwait."

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