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Biswajeet Banerjee



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In its ongoing pursuit to promote sports at the grassroots level in Uttar Pradesh and motivate and nurture the sporting talents of the state, the Yogi Adityanath government has approved a fund of Rs 1.71 crore under the Major Dhyan Chand Mission for developing sports infrastructure in as many as 171 government colleges of the state.
Notably, this fund must be utilised by the colleges by March 31, 2024. Each of the 171 colleges will get Rs 1 lakh to develop sports facilities so that the talented sportspersons do not have to go elsewhere for training or practice for various tournaments and championships.
State Minister of Higher Education Yogendra Upadhyay said that there is a plan in line with CM Yogi’s vision to train sportspersons in government colleges across the state.
“Our priority is to provide sports facilities for those already enrolled in these colleges. In the sequence, against the provisioned budget of Rs 1.72 crore, an amount of Rs 1.71 crore is being released at the government level for creating sports facilities in a total of 171 government colleges. Each college will receive Rs 1 lakh,” he said.
The minister emphasised that the facilities would help the sportspersons prepare for different championships and pursue a career in their favourite sports.
The amount released by the government will be spent on preparing the necessary infrastructure, including courts, turfs, etc, related to various sports. The minister said that the Director (Finance) of Higher Education, Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj, would ensure compliance with the conditions set by the Finance department while making the funds available to the Public Works Department through RTGS.
The approved amount will not be kept in a bank account, and its expenditure will be carried out in accordance with appropriate financial procedures and as per government orders issued from time to time. All government colleges have been directed to ensure quality of work.