Centre puts brake on Mizoram sports funds

Aizawl, Mar 9 (UNI) Several sports projects in Mizoram have recevied a setback, with Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs stopping release of funds approved last year.

In a response to query raised by the opposition in the Assembly today, Sports Minister Ropuia told the house that as many as nine projects regarding the sports infrastructure development in the state have been suspended as the Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs have not yet released Rs 13 crore funds.

''We are requesting the Centre for expeditious release of funds and we hope the Centre would fullfil our request soon so that we can complete the suspended sports projects,'' he added.

The sports minister said the Central Ministry has witheld the said amount, which approved last year, due to Mizoram government's objection to the Centre's proposal to transfer sports from the state list to the concurrent list.

According to the minister, the schemes were part of nine projects in the state that included the Ramhlun Indoor stadium and a district sports centre in Aizawl and district centres in Lunglei, Champai, Kolasib, Saiha and Lawngteli districts.

The Mizoram government were supposed to have been constructed on 75:25 formula, with 75 per cent contribute their share on from the Union Ministry.

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