Minister for Social Welfare, ARI & Trainings and Science & Technology, Sajad Gani Lone today, replying to a question of Zafer Iqbal Manhas, informed that the observations made by the Governor to the J&K Reservation (Amendment) Bill 2014, regarding grant of Socially and Educationally Backward Class status for Pahari speaking people is being examined in consultation with Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Backward Classes.Vibod Gupta and GN Monga raised supplementaries to the main question.Rs 15.71 cr allocated to develop sports infrastructure, encourage sportspersons Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services & Sports, Imran Raza Ansari, replying to a question of Charanjit Singh, told the House that funds to the tune of Rs 15.71 crore were allocated during the previous year by State and Centre to encourage sportspersons and to develop sports infrastructure in the state.The Minister informed that the Department conducted various sports activities in the age group of 14, 17 & 19 for both boys & girls under School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) as per calendar of activities issued by the Department in the month of March and April Ansari informed that an amount of Rs 1.98 crore was released against which an amount of Rs. 52.31 lakh was incurred for hosting of National School Games, besides Rs. 85.75 lakh for development of state contingent and awarding of scholarships and Rs 59.94 lakh on account of organizing charges for conducting various activities by the subordinate offices at State level.
The Minister informed that an amount of Rs 2.5 crore was released as grant-in-aid in favor of Secretary J&K State Sports Council against which an amount of Rs 2.06 crore was incurred by various Sports Associations for conducting of various domestic sports activities and Rs 44 lakh were spent by the Secretary, Sports Council for organizing various sports activities at their own level.The Minister informed that an amount of Rs 9.66 crore was also allocated under State Plan last fiscal for development of sports infrastructure in the state of which Rs. 9.37 crore has been incurred by ending March 2016 while Rs 28.50 lakh remained unutilized as some new schemes could not be taken up for execution due to land disputes.The House was further informed that an amount of Rs 1.19 crore was also released under centrally sponsored scheme for conducting lower level sports competitions under RGKA against which an amount of Rs 1.08 crore has been incurred in last financial year, thereby leaving unspent balance of Rs 11.582 lakh which shall be revalidated and utilized during current financial year.Ansari said an amount of Rs 37.39 lakh was also released under RGKA for organizing National Level Women’s Sports Competitions, out of which Rs 30.60 lakh were utilized during 2015-16.