By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 18: The row surrounding junk food raised questions on the state government’s decision to allocate Rs 23 crore for hosting the 5th edition of the Meghalaya Games, 2024.
Sources told The Shillong Times on Thursday that the event could have been organised with a smaller budget.
They said the government’s decision to allocate a big budget for the North East Games is justified since the state is preparing itself to host the National Games.
“But it is not necessary to spend so much for the state Games,” a source said, adding that the total expenditure in the 4th edition of the Meghalaya Games in 2022 was a mere Rs 2.39 crore, including around Rs 80 lakh which was meant for food and lodging of the athletes.
The amount fixed per head for food of the athletes and the officials was Rs 400 in the last edition.
“It was expected that the quality of food provided to the athletes would improve this time around since the budget was raised to Rs 2 crore. It is sad that the food triggered a controversy on the inaugural day of the Games itself,” the source said.
There is said to be not much of a difference in the amount of TA/DA given to the athletes in the 4th and 5th editions.
According to the sources, the athletes from East Khasi Hills are receiving TA/DA of Rs 600 while those from other districts of Khasi-Jaintia Hills are getting Rs 1,200. The athletes from Garo Hills are getting Rs 300.
The sources said the expenditure on TA/DA this year will be higher since a large number of athletes from Khasi and Jaintia Hills region are participating. A smaller number of athletes from Garo Hills participated in the last edition of the Games in Shillong and as such, the expenditure on TA/DA was less.
Meanwhile, the sources said there is no doubt that the facilities provided to the athletes improved this time around. They have been provided with towels, blankets, bedsheets, bunk beds and toothbrush. In the previous edition, they were asked to bring their own belongings.