In a fresh controversy, Congress leaders have accused the BJP-led Central Government of discriminatory fund allocation under the Khelo India Scheme. Leading the charge, the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa took to social media platform ‘X’ to highlight the disparity.

“The Modi Government’s skewed allocation of funds under the Khelo India Scheme is a glaring example of injustice. Punjab & Haryana, the heartlands of Indian sports, were given a meagre Rs 78 crore and Rs 66 crore, respectively, despite sending 43 athletes to the Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, UP & Gujarat received a whopping Rs 438 crore and Rs 426 crore, contributing only 9 athletes. This step-motherly treatment undermines our sporting potential and regional talent,” he said, in his post.

Echoing Bajwa’s concerns, Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment and former Captain of the Indian Hockey Team, Pargat Singh, also alleged discrimination in fund distribution.

An Olympian, Pargat Singh shared state-wise details of funds released for sports infrastructure under the Khelo India Scheme. “Despite sending 48 athletes to the Paris #Olympics, Punjab & Haryana received Rs 78 crore and Rs 66 crore, respectively, while UP & Gujarat, sending only 9 athletes, got Rs 438 crore & Rs 426 crore. Is this not a biased distribution? How long will BJP continue this discrimination against states?” he wrote on X.

The Congress leaders’ posts have sparked a debate about the equitable distribution of resources and the support for athletes from different states. The accusations of bias have added to the ongoing political discourse surrounding sports funding and regional representation in national schemes.