By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith M Sangma said that the proposed amount of Rs 15.62 crore for construction of sitting galleries and other infrastructural development at the outdoor stadium in Tura is expected to be sanctioned by the Union Ministry of DoNER within this fiscal year.
Replying to a query raised by Independent legislator John Leslee K Sangma during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Tuesday, Zenith Sangma said that the Government had initially submitted a proposal for Rs 13.02 crore for the same project in 2006-2007.
“Since the proposal was not sanctioned by the Ministry in 2006-07, the department sent a revised proposal of Rs 15.62 crore to the Union Ministry during the last fiscal year,” the Sports and Youth Affairs Minister said while adding that the Union Ministry of DoNER has some queries on the project which will be addressed by the State Government shortly.
Replying to a supplementary question, Sangma admitted that a total amount of Rs 4.24 lakh which was sanctioned for the outdoor stadium in Tura since 2001 is lying with the State Sports Council (SSC).
“The funds could not be utilized since the total estimate for construction of the sitting gallery in the
stadium was Rs 19 lakh,” Zenith Sangma said.
“The funds have not been kept with the SSC because it was too less but because a decision was taken that the money would not be utilized until the Government gets the requisite funds for the construction of the sitting gallery,” Sangma said.