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NDTV
6 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Parliamentary Committee Raises Concerns On SAI's Financial Health, Lack Of Spending In Khelo India
Declaring Sports Authority of India (SAI) "critically" under-funded and under-staffed, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on sports has observed that India's international performances are "far from satisfactory" and also raised concerns around the lack of fund utilisation in the government's flagship Khelo India Scheme. The Committee, headed by Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, observed that SAI's financial health is crucial to the country's international medal performance and urged the Sports Ministry to not just increase the allocation but also have a targetted approach towards those sports in which India is likely to win more medals. "....identify with clinical precision few sporting events in which we have got best chance to win medals and divert most of the resources at hand in nurturing the talents in such sports so that they reach international standards and win medals for the country," it noted. The committee, which also includes cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, and BJP's Sambit Patra and Bansuri Swaraj among others, expressed "grave" concern over the shortage of staff and low funding of SAI. "The Committee is contrained (sic) to observe that the budget of SAI is critically national Centres of Excellence all over the country are required. This obviously needs higher budgetary allocation for the SAI. "...about 45 per cent of sanctioned posts in the Authority are presently lying vacant. The fact that these shortfalls in staff are being managed through contractual appointment may at best be only an ad hoc arrangement. "Substantial staff crunch in coaching and scientific cadres is indeed very alarming as it substantially undermines the coaching of athletes and jeopardize their chances to win medals," it pointed out. The panel "heard the views of Sports Secretary, and SAI representatives in its meeting held on June 6". It commended the recruitment drive to fill up these vacancies but asked the sports ministry to complete the process in the next six months and "furnish an Action Taken Report." While appreciating the sports ministry's efforts, the panel stated that the achievements on ground in terms of medals won in the major international sports events like Olympics are far from satisfactory. "...even though the medal tally in international sporting events has improved compared to the past, we still need to assiduously work on it. It is extremely painful that we being a country of approximately 1.4 billion populations could not win even a single gold medal in the last Olympics in 2024 and most of the Olympics before that," it stated. "...there is some gap or deficiency at the policy level in this Committee notes with appreciation that efforts of the Ministry and the corporate contribution in the development of sports ecosystem in the country is showing of late, some positive results." Concerns around Khelo India ================== The panel also noted with "concern" that during the last two financial years, the funds for government's flagship Khelo India Scheme have been diverted to National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) of SAI. "This diversion has denied precious funds of Rs 38.79 crores to the Khelo India Scheme. This is more alarming as 122.30 crore of allocated funds under this scheme has also been returned to the Consolidated Fund of India," it observed. "...such practice of diversion of funds from one central scheme to another is not a healthy one as it reflects poor estimation, planning and implementation on the part of a Central Scheme." The Committee revealed that the Khelo India Scheme has been approved by the cabinet from 2021-22 to 2025-26. It recommended that the scheme be embedded in the SAI's operational structure thereafter. "As such, the current Khelo India Scheme is operational till 31st March 2026. The Committee notes that the lapsing of the Khelo India scheme offers the department an opportunity to permanently embed the Khelo India scheme in the organizational structure of SAI and to create dedicated staff positions within SAI to carry out the functions of the Khelo India scheme. "Accordingly, the Committee recommends that the budget for the Sports Department be sustained and that the SAI take over the existing responsibilities of Khelo India, including the disbursal of funds to other government agencies," it stated. The report also said that the ministry has acknowledged that an amount of Rs. 19.50 crore was allocated for play-field development under the Khelo India Scheme but has not been spent "due to lack of proposal from eligible entities".
News18
6 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Parliamentary Committee Raises Concerns On SAI's Financial Health, Lack Of Spending In Khelo India
Last Updated: The Parliamentary Committee on sports declared the Sports Authority of India critically under-funded, affecting India's international performance, and urged increased funding. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on sports has declared the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as 'critically" under-funded and under-staffed, noting that India's international performances are 'far from satisfactory." Concerns have also been raised about the lack of proper fund utilisation in the government's flagship Khelo India Scheme. The Committee, led by Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, emphasised that SAI's financial health is vital for the country's international medal performance. It urged the Sports Ministry to increase funding and focus on sports where India is likely to win more medals. The Committee advised identifying specific sports where India has the best chance of winning medals and focusing resources on nurturing talents in these areas to reach international standards. Including cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, and BJP's Sambit Patra and Bansuri Swaraj, the Committee expressed serious concern over the shortage of staff and low funding of SAI. It highlighted that about 45% of sanctioned posts in SAI are vacant, managed through temporary appointments, which is not a permanent solution. The lack of coaching and scientific staff significantly undermines athlete training and their chances of winning medals. The panel appreciated the sports ministry's efforts but stated that India's achievements in major international sports events like the Olympics are unsatisfactory. Despite an improved medal tally, India, with a population of about 1.4 billion, did not win a single gold medal in the last Olympics in 2024 and most of the previous Olympics. The Committee noted some gaps or deficiencies at the policy level but appreciated the ministry's and corporate contributions to developing the country's sports ecosystem, showing positive results recently. Concerns were also raised about fund allocation for the Khelo India Scheme. During the last two financial years, funds allocated to the scheme were diverted to National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) of SAI, denying Rs 38.79 crores to the Khelo India Scheme. Additionally, Rs 122.30 crores of allocated funds were returned to the Consolidated Fund of India, indicating poor estimation, planning, and implementation. The Committee recommended integrating the Khelo India Scheme into SAI's operational structure after its current term ends on March 31, 2026. It suggested creating dedicated staff positions within SAI for the scheme's functions and proposed that the Sports Department's budget be maintained while SAI takes over Khelo India's responsibilities, including fund disbursal to other government agencies. The ministry acknowledged that Rs 19.50 crores allocated for play-field development under Khelo India Scheme remained unspent due to a lack of proposals from eligible entities. The Committee recommended consulting eligible entities to understand their lack of enthusiasm and address their concerns. It also requested an Action Taken Report on this matter. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 20, 2025, 23:53 IST News sports Parliamentary Committee Raises Concerns On SAI's Financial Health, Lack Of Spending In Khelo India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Parliamentary panel raises concern on SAI's financial health
New Delhi: Sports Authority of India (SAI) is 'critically' under-funded and under-staffed, the parliamentary standing committee on sports has said, recommending a slew of measures to the union sports ministry. The panel, headed by Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, presented a 40-page report to the upper house on Wednesday. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya addresses a press conference at the Sports Authority of India (SAI). (Vipin Kumar) The report expresses concern over India's poor returns at the Olympics. 'It is extremely painful that we being a country of approximately 1.4 billion population could not win even a single gold medal in the last Olympics in 2024 and most of the Olympics before that. The Committee feels that there is some gap or deficiency at the policy level in this regard,' it said. It calls for broad-based talent spotting and holding more age-group domestic competitions. The committee also urged the sports ministry to adopt a targetted approach towards those sports in which India is likely to win more medals. 'Countries like Australia, Cuba, Kenya, China, USA are powerhouses in select sports like swimming, boxing, cross country, badminton, table tennis, and track & field events respectively. Each of these countries participates in a few targeted sporting events and win most of the medals in such events. The committee feels that it is worth emulating this model and recommends the ministry to take the concentrated approach in picking up the sports as such in which we have the potential and talent,' it said. Further, the parliamentary panel observed a 'substantial staff crunch in coaching and scientific cadres' in SAI and urged the body to fill up vacant posts. '...about 45 per cent of sanctioned posts in the Authority are presently lying vacant. The fact that these shortfalls in staff are being managed through contractual appointment may at best be only an ad hoc arrangement,' the report stated while commending to complete the recruitment in six months and furnish an Action Taken Report. The committee noted that during the last two financial years, the funds for Khelo India Scheme have been diverted to National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) of SAI. 'This diversion has denied precious funds of ₹38.79 crores to the Khelo India Scheme. This is more alarming as ₹122.30 crore of allocated funds under this scheme has also been returned to the Consolidated Fund of India,' it observed. '...such practice of diversion of funds from one central scheme to another is not a healthy one as it reflects poor estimation, planning and implementation on the part of a Central Scheme.' The report also said that an amount of ₹19.50 crore was allocated for play-field development under the Khelo India Scheme but has not been spent 'due to lack of proposal from eligible entities'
India Today
8 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Parliamentary panel calls SAI critically under-funded, slams India's poor Olympic show
Declaring Sports Authority of India (SAI) "critically" under-funded and under-staffed, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on sports has observed that India's international performances are "far from satisfactory" and also raised concerns around the lack of fund utilisation in the government's flagship Khelo India Scheme. The Committee, headed by Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, observed that SAI's financial health is crucial to the country's international medal performance and urged the Sports Ministry to not just increase the allocation but also have a targetted approach towards those sports in which India is likely to win more medals. "....identify with clinical precision few sporting events in which we have got best chance to win medals and divert most of the resources at hand in nurturing the talents in such sports so that they reach international standards and win medals for the country," it noted. The committee, which also includes cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, and BJP's Sambit Patra and Bansuri Swaraj among others, expressed "grave" concern over the shortage of staff and low funding of SAI. "The Committee is contrained (sic) to observe that the budget of SAI is critically national Centres of Excellence all over the country are required. This obviously needs higher budgetary allocation for the SAI. "...about 45 per cent of sanctioned posts in the Authority are presently lying vacant. The fact that these shortfalls in staff are being managed through contractual appointment may at best be only an ad hoc arrangement. "Substantial staff crunch in coaching and scientific cadres is indeed very alarming as it substantially undermines the coaching of athletes and jeopardize their chances to win medals," it pointed out. The panel "heard the views of Sports Secretary, and SAI representatives in its meeting held on June 6". It commended the recruitment drive to fill up these vacancies but asked the sports ministry to complete the process in the next six months and "furnish an Action Taken Report." While appreciating the sports ministry's efforts, the panel stated that the achievements on ground in terms of medals won in the major international sports events like Olympics are far from satisfactory. "...even though the medal tally in international sporting events has improved compared to the past, we still need to assiduously work on it. It is extremely painful that we being a country of approximately 1.4 billion populations could not win even a single gold medal in the last Olympics in 2024 and most of the Olympics before that," it stated. "...there is some gap or deficiency at the policy level in this Committee notes with appreciation that efforts of the Ministry and the corporate contribution in the development of sports ecosystem in the country is showing of late, some positive results." Concerns around Khelo India The panel also noted with "concern" that during the last two financial years, the funds for government's flagship Khelo India Scheme have been diverted to National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) of SAI. "This diversion has denied precious funds of Rs 38.79 crores to the Khelo India Scheme. This is more alarming as 122.30 crore of allocated funds under this scheme has also been returned to the Consolidated Fund of India," it observed. "...such practice of diversion of funds from one central scheme to another is not a healthy one as it reflects poor estimation, planning and implementation on the part of a Central Scheme." The Committee revealed that the Khelo India Scheme has been approved by the cabinet from 2021-22 to 2025-26. It recommended that the scheme be embedded in the SAI's operational structure thereafter. "As such, the current Khelo India Scheme is operational till 31st March 2026. The Committee notes that the lapsing of the Khelo India scheme offers the department an opportunity to permanently embed the Khelo India scheme in the organizational structure of SAI and to create dedicated staff positions within SAI to carry out the functions of the Khelo India scheme. "Accordingly, the Committee recommends that the budget for the Sports Department be sustained and that the SAI take over the existing responsibilities of Khelo India, including the disbursal of funds to other government agencies," it stated. The report also said that the ministry has acknowledged that an amount of Rs. 19.50 crore was allocated for play-field development under the Khelo India Scheme but has not been spent "due to lack of proposal from eligible entities". "The Committee in this regard recommends initiating a consultation with the 'eligible entities' and try to find out the lack of enthusiasm on their part for this component and properly address their concerns, if any. The Committee further recommends furnishing an ATR (Action Taken Report) in this matter."
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Parliamentary committee raises concerns on SAI's financial health, lack of spending in Khelo India
Declaring Sports Authority of India (SAI) 'critically' under-funded and under-staffed, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on sports has observed that India's international performances are 'far from satisfactory' and also raised concerns around the lack of fund utilisation in the government's flagship Khelo India Scheme. The Committee, headed by Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, observed that SAI's financial health is crucial to the country's international medal performance and urged the Sports Ministry to not just increase the allocation but also have a targeted approach towards those sports in which India is likely to win more medals. '....identify with clinical precision few sporting events in which we have got best chance to win medals and divert most of the resources at hand in nurturing the talents in such sports so that they reach international standards and win medals for the country,' it noted. The Committee, which also includes cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, and BJP's Sambit Patra and Bansuri Swaraj, among others, expressed 'grave' concern over the shortage of staff and low funding of SAI. 'The Committee is constrained (sic) to observe that the budget of SAI is critically national Centres of Excellence all over the country are required. This obviously needs higher budgetary allocation for the SAI. '...about 45 per cent of sanctioned posts in the Authority are presently lying vacant. The fact that these shortfalls in staff are being managed through contractual appointment may at best be only an ad hoc arrangement. 'Substantial staff crunch in coaching and scientific cadres is indeed very alarming as it substantially undermines the coaching of athletes and jeopardise their chances to win medals,' it pointed out. ALSO READ | Online Gaming Bill 2025: Government to support and recognise esports, prohibits online money games The panel 'heard the views of Sports Secretary, and SAI representatives in its meeting held on June 6'. It commended the recruitment drive to fill up these vacancies but asked the sports ministry to complete the process in the next six months and 'furnish an Action Taken Report (ATR).' While appreciating the sports ministry's efforts, the panel stated that the achievements on the ground in terms of medals won in the major international sports events like Olympics are far from satisfactory. '...even though the medal tally in international sporting events has improved compared to the past, we still need to assiduously work on it. It is extremely painful that we, being a country of approximately 1.4 billion populations, could not win even a single gold medal in the last Olympics in 2024 and most of the Olympics before that,' it stated. '...there is some gap or deficiency at the policy level in this Committee notes with appreciation that efforts of the Ministry and the corporate contribution in the development of sports ecosystem in the country is showing, of late, some positive results.' Concerns around Khelo India The panel also noted with 'concern' that during the last two financial years, the funds for the government's flagship Khelo India Scheme have been diverted to National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) of SAI. 'This diversion has denied precious funds of Rs 38.79 crores to the Khelo India Scheme. This is more alarming as 122.30 crore of allocated funds under this scheme has also been returned to the Consolidated Fund of India,' it observed. '...such practice of diversion of funds from one central scheme to another is not a healthy one as it reflects poor estimation, planning and implementation on the part of a Central Scheme.' The Committee revealed that the Khelo India Scheme has been approved by the cabinet from 2021-22 to 2025-26. It recommended that the scheme be embedded in the SAI's operational structure thereafter. 'As such, the current Khelo India Scheme is operational till 31st March 2026. The Committee notes that the lapsing of the Khelo India scheme offers the department an opportunity to permanently embed the Khelo India scheme in the organisational structure of SAI and to create dedicated staff positions within SAI to carry out the functions of the Khelo India scheme. ALSO READ | National Sports Governance Bill becomes an Act after President Murmu's assent 'Accordingly, the Committee recommends that the budget for the Sports Department be sustained and that the SAI take over the existing responsibilities of Khelo India, including the disbursal of funds to other government agencies,' it stated. The report also said that the ministry has acknowledged that an amount of Rs. 19.50 crore was allocated for play-field development under the Khelo India Scheme, but has not been spent 'due to lack of proposal from eligible entities'. 'The Committee in this regard recommends initiating a consultation with the 'eligible entities' and try to find out the lack of enthusiasm on their part for this component and properly address their concerns, if any. The Committee further recommends furnishing an ATR (Action Taken Report) in this matter.' Published on Aug 20, 2025
