The department of Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS), Government of Manipur on Monday issued a clarification regarding the construction of two synthetic turf football grounds in Manipur, stating that a news article, which claimed both are yet to be completed, is baseless.
The news article published by a local daily alleged that the construction of two synthetic turf football grounds and Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) galleries respectively at Hiyangthang Kangjeibung in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Assembly Constituency and Hao Ground, Singjamei Chingamathak in the Imphal West district remain incomplete. It alleged that there are no signs of inauguration for the ground at Hiyangthang Kangjeibung.
The clarification signed by Youth Affairs and Sports director T Phulen Meitei stated that the said works have already been completed as per the DPR specifications and handed over to the public after inauguration.
“Our Department implemented these two projects by entrusting the Water Resource Department, Government of Manipur as the implementing agency,” it stated.
The clarification mentioned that as per the Khelo India Template, the maximum admissible grant for a natural football field is Rs 3.20 crore while the maximum admissible grant to a synthetic football field is 6.00 crore.
It stated that the total project cost of the two projects that include RCC Gallery, Natural Grass Field and Drain stands at Rs 3.64 crore for the Hiyangthang and Rs 3.65 crore for Hao Ground respectively.
It also stated that there were no provisions for synthetic turf football ground in both the football fields as claimed in the news article.
However, the data for completed projects under the Khelo India Scheme for Manipur which is publicly available on the website https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in/. clearly mentions that both grounds at Hiyangthang and Hao ground (listed as Serial Number 4 and 5) are Synthetic turf Football Grounds, not Natural Grass Fields as mentioned in the clarification.
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