Centre to provide 26 cr to AP govt for sports programme

Hyderabad, Oct 24 (UNI) The Centre would provide Rs 26 crore to the Andhra Pradesh government under ''Panchayat Yuva Kreeda and Khel Abhiyan'', Principal Secretary (Sports and Youth Services) S N Mohanty revealed at a review meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy at the Secretariat, here today.

According to a press release, the Chief Minister directed the Finance Department to release Rs 6.89 crore towards state's contribution as additional project to SAAP and said District Incharge Minister and District Collector concerned should be made Chairman and Executive Chairman of the District Level Committee respectively.

After reviewing the construction and leasing out the upcoming Sports Towers at Gachibowli, he directed the officials to complete the remaining six floors of the 15-storied towers as early as possible and lease out the entire building, keeping provision for requisition of sufficient rooms as and when required by SAAP, the release said.

Dr Reddy directed the Finance Department to release cash awards to National and International achievers/sportspersons for 2007-08 and 2008-09 by providing required budget provision, as this was the state government's responsibility over and above the SAAP budget, the release added.

On being informed that when persons were being appointed in the institutions under sports quota, it was contradictory not to allow them to become a member of Sports Authorities, the Chief Minister agreed to allow any officer or employee of the state or central government or of any corporation or any industrial undertaking owned or controlled by the state or central government or any nationalised bank to be a member of SAAP or District Sports Authority or Mandal Sports Authority, by suitably modifying the ACT.

The present SAAP Act forbids the appointment of such persons from becoming its member.

UNI VA AKM 1850