Government claims it has developed more than 60000 playfields in Villages & Blocks
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
August 20, 2016
While government apathy is considered one of the prime reasons for the state of sports in the country, government data indicates that more than 60000 playfields have been developed at village and block levels between 2008-09 and 2013-14 at a cost of more than 800 crore rupees.
Apathy of successive governments in development of sports infrastructure and promotion of sports is believed as the prime reason for India’s failure on the international stage. But the data presented by government paints a different picture. As per data shared in the Lok Sabha, the Government has developed more than 60000 playfields in village & block panchayats across the country between 2008-09 and 2013-14.
The PYKKA Scheme
The Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) was implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports from 2008-09 to 2013-14 for creation and maintenance of basic sports infrastructure at village and block panchayat level and holding of annual sports competitions to encourage mass participation in sports. All State Governments have been granted financial assistance under the PYKKA Scheme for development of sports in rural areas.
As per the data with the government, 62609 playfields have been developed across the country between 2008-09 and 2013-14 covering more than 60000 villages. More than 20000 playfields each were developed in both 2008-09 and 2010-11. Most of these were developed in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh etc.
More than Rs 800 crore was spent in developing these Playfields
Government has reportedly spent Rs 806.6 crore in development of playfields across the country under the PYKKA scheme in the 6 years. An average amount of Rs 1.28 lakh was spent on each playfield. Of the states, more than Rs 100 crore was spent only in Uttar Pradesh followed by Rs 95.8 crore in Andhra Pradesh. More than Rs 50 crore was spent in six states. Less than 10 crore was spent in 12 States/UTs. Of the bigger states, only Rs 4.6 crore was spent in West Bengal, which is hardly 5% of what was spent in Andhra Pradesh that has a similar population as West Bengal.
More than 62 lakh participated in competitions in 2 years
Another important component of PYKKA is holding of annual sports competitions to encourage mass participation in sports. As per government data, more than 62 lakh people participated in such events in 2012-13 and 2013-14. The government spent Rs 224.9 crore on these competitions from 2008-09 to 2013-14. Of the states, more than Rs 20 crore each was spent by Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Of the bigger states, Kerala spent the least amount of Rs 1.55 crore on competitions.
Featured Image: Playground for every village