Top priority for differently abled in Sports Policy: Pramod Madhwaraj

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru Nov 16, 2016: Differently abled athletes will get priority in the proposed Sports Policy of the  state government, said Minister for Sports and Fisheries Pramod Madhwaraj.

Addressing media at Press Club on Wednesday November 16 he said that the policy will ensure that the differently abled athletes get due encouragement as well as incentives. Measures will also be taken to ensure that  athletes can give equal importance to sports as well as academics. Sports policy will be introduced in next budget so that it can get the  official stamp of the assembly and council. Feedbacks will be collected from the representatives of 30 districts before implementation of the policy, he added.

On this occasion, he also made an appeal to the Union Government to increase its budgetary allocation for Sports Department.

Pramod Madhwaraj said a green signal has been given for the construction of football turf at Nehru Maidan at an  estimated budget of Rs 1 crores. Even the proposal to construct swimming pool at Yemmekere at a cost of Rs 4.99 crores is on cards. At the same time he expressed unhappiness over increase in project estimate upto Rs 12 crores. He said  the authorities concerned have been asked to revise the budget   so that is within  Rs 5 crores. A technical committee will be formed to keep an eye on the expenditure, he added.

When asked about the facilities in schools of rural areas, he said Sports Department cannot be blamed for the flaws of Education Department

Fisheries

Regarding fisheries, Pramod Madhwaraj said excessive fishing activity may lead to  scarcity of fish by next three years. He said  the Government will appoint inspector for every fish processing unit  and any discrepancy will result in cancellation of licence.

 The third stage of development work of Mangaluru port is in halt due to delay in sanctioning  funds from the Union Government. Work will be resumed once the funds are released, assured Madhwaraj.

On demonetization

Referring to the demonetization of currency notes of 500 and 1000 denominations, the minister said that  the government should have showed concern towards the common people before enforcing the ban.