Chandigarh, November 27:- Haryana Sports Minister Mr. Gaurav Gautam said that he has directed the officials and coaches of the Sports Department to submit a report wherever the sports infrastructure needs maintenance, and it will be rectified as soon as possible. A review meeting has also been called for this on November 28 tomorrow so that the sports facilities can be further expanded.
He termed the statement made by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann on the death of basketball player Hardik Rathi, who met with an accident in village Lakhanmajra of Rohtak district, as politically motivated and said that he should be concerned about the players of Punjab and the youth falling under the influence of drugs.
The Sports Minister was talking to reporters at his official residence this evening. Chief Minister's Media Advisor Shri Rajiv Jaitley was also present on this occasion.
Shri Gaurav Gautam said that he reached Hardik Rathi's village today and met his family and expressed his condolences to the affected family members. He said that the government stands with the family in this difficult time. Whatever help they seek from the government, they will fulfill it.
He said that an inquiry has been ordered into the accident, strict action will be taken against the culprits. He termed the death of player Hardik Rathi as an unfortunate incident and said that he was a promising youth, he had the desire to bring glory to the country.
Terming the statement made by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann regarding this accident as politically motivated, the Sports Minister said that instead of giving such a beel, he should think about the youth of Punjab, where drugs have taken deep roots, and every day some youth is falling victim to death.
Advising Sardar Mann to look into his own pockets, he said that in Punjab, a young Daljit who was waging war against drugs is being openly murdered. The world champion players of football and fencing there are strong enough to run a tea shop, even after the sports quota has been fixed, the players in his state are not getting any benefit.
Sports Minister Mr. Gaurav Gautam said that Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Naib Singh Saini has made a unique sports policy for the players in the state, jobs and cash awards are being given to the players. The sports budget has been increased significantly. Rs 114 crore has been given to the PWD department for the maintenance of 92 stadiums in the state, with which work is being done. Earlier also, the amount has been given as per the requirement for maintenance. He said that yesterday, the Chief Minister had announced immediate financial assistance to the victim's family as soon as he received the information about this tragic accident.