The Department of Youth Resources & Sports (DYRS) has issued a clarification concerning a news report, “Why did Govt of Nagaland re-inaugurate already completed Khelo India projects worth INR 33 crore?” on YouTube by a local news channel on 5 August 2024.
According to a DIPR report, the DYRS stated that the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, GoI sanctioned 11 projects to the State, out of which one was allotted to the Sports Authority of India, with its regional office at Imphal, Manipur, and the rest to the Government of Nagaland through the DYRS. The five projects mentioned by the reporter commenced in 2020 and were completed within the stipulated time frame, the department clarified. Upon completion, the department said the projects were virtually inaugurated by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur, on 11 March 2024.
DYRS said that the allegation that the projects were re-inaugurated is first of all out of question as the projects were inaugurated by the Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports virtually in the presence of Chief Minister Nagaland and not otherwise. The same is also visible even in the picture shown by the said reporter, it said.
Secondly, the department said the reporter had mistakenly assumed that the fund was released in full during the time of sanction. “This is not so as the fund is only sanctioned and then later on released, in parts, upon reaching set milestones as per the Khelo India operational guidelines,” it added.
The Department said that while it appreciates the active involvement of the public and all stakeholders in its endeavor to promote the youth through sports, misleading and unverified information circulated on media channels is not conducive to development.
The Department said it is open to clarifying doubts and sharing information, as applicable, without reservation. The Department also requested that media outlets verify facts from all concerned sources before making such allegations.
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