Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar today said that special focus is being laid on engaging youth of the state in sports, other related activities and creating sports infrastructure for which centre as well as state government is providing liberal funding.The Advisor was speaking at a meeting convened to review the performance of the districts under ‘Khelo India’ initiative of GoI and the status of sports projects taken up under PM’s Development Programme (PMDP) and status of works on playfields that have been taken under convergence mode.Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sanjiv Verma, Secretary YS&S Sarmad Hafeez, DC Shopian Owais Ahmed, Director General YS&S Dr Saleem-Ur-Rehman, Secretary JK Sports Council Dr Naseem Javaid Choudhary, Additional Secretary YS&S Rajnish Kumar were present in the meeting while as Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmed Khan and all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu Division attended the meeting through video conferencing.The Advisor sought the details from all the Deputy Commissioners about the funds utilized under Khelo India initiative so far and the status of Utilization Certificates(UCs) that needs to be submitted to the YS&S department for further submission to GoI. The meeting discussed in detail the funds utilization position district wise and asked for making judicious use of resources by organizing sports activities at all levels.
The DCs informed about the number of youth engaged and sports activities organized at various levels in their respective districts.“The funds provided for the programme must be utilized properly by organizing sports events, distributing sports kits among sportspersons and engaging youth in the sports and other related activities”, the Advisor said.He stressed on timely submission of the Utilization Certificates (UCs) to the YS&S department for forwarding these to GoI which is monitoring the execution of the programme. He asked the DCs to file the UCs through PFMS portal by December 31, 2018 while intimating the department of YS&S regarding the same.The DCs were also asked to share the details of the playfields undertaken in their respective districts in convergence mode, along with the present status, those handed over to YS&S department and expected date of completion of work. The DCs informed the meeting about the number of playgrounds identified in each district with nature of land. Secretary YS&S Sarmad Hafeez informed the DCs regarding the sports projects that are approved by the state government for funding under ‘Languishing projects’.Progress on PMDP projects undertaken in each district was also reviewed along with the status of works completed so far. The Secretary YS&S also asked the DCs to ensure close monitoring of these projects so that they can be completed in given timeframe and be dedicated to the public.
The sports facilities to be created in schools & other institutions under the special package were also conveyed to the Deputy Commissioners. It was further told that the DCs can discuss the same with the concerned Divisional Commissioner so that if any changes are required can be made at the initial stage only.The Advisor complimented the districts which have performed well so far under ‘Khelo India’ programme by utilizing the maximum funds provided to them. He asked others also to intensify the activities at every level and utilize the amount as per the action plan already prepared in this regard.Advisor Kumar asked both the Divisional Commissioners to regularly review the performance of districts under the programme and monitor the PMDP projects on regular basis to ensure their timely completion. He asked them to ensure that the funds provided under Khelo India are utilized only on sports activities, engagement of youth and not for creation of infrastructure.All the DCs were asked to share inputs with the Divisional Commissioners regarding availability of land in the districts where sports infrastructure can be created in addition to the already undertaken projects.