Bhubaneswar: The BJP Government has enhanced the allocation made for Sports and Youth Services Department by nearly 98 crores in its budget 2024-25 in comparison to provision made by previous BJD government for the year 2023-24.
“I propose an allocation of Rs.1,315 crore for Sports and Youth Services that includes Rs.1,210 crore under programme budget,” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said while presenting the annual budget for 2024-25 in the Assembly today.
While Rs 1315 crore has been made for this year, the BJD government has made a provision of Rs 1217 crore during previous year. Even the allocation made by the BJP government is nearly Rs 10 crore more than the provision made by the BJD government in its Budget estimation made for 2024-25 while presenting Vote on Account in February this year.
“Our government will launch Sports Policy for the first time in the State in consultation with all stakeholders for promotion of Sports. Our government will push for development of sports infrastructure across the State,” the CM announced today.
An amount of Rs 952 crore has been earmarked for the purpose which includes development of Grassroots Sports and activation of existing Mini Stadiums, establishment District level Sports Academies, catering to popular sports of each district, setting up of state-of-the-art academies in four zones of the State and construction of a new stadium with world class sports infrastructure will be set up in Bhubaneswar, he said.
Besides, the CM said an amount of Rs.100 crore is allocated under the new scheme “Yuva Shakti” for integrated development of youth.
“We will implement “Khela Ratna Khoja Abhiyaan” for extensive talent scouting across the state and incentivising young meritorious sportspersons through financial assistance,” he further announced.