Govt not positive to cricket: MP

Our Correspondent

UNA, MARCH 5

Anurag Thakur, MP, who was elected Secretary of the BCCI, today accorded a warm welcome as he reached Una. Members of the District Cricket Association and BJP workers distributed sweets and burst crackers.

Addressing mediapersons, Anurag said he would make efforts to improve the internal working of the BCCI and boost its image, which had got some beating. He said the Indian cricket team would be given more international exposure. He said the India Junior and India ‘A’ teams would be given added exposures and trainings. Efforts would be made to have a greater say of the BCCI in the International Cricket Council.

The BCCI Secretary said it would be his endeavour to boost the cricket infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, but added that the attitude of the state government was not positive towards sports. He appealed to the Chief Minister to shun political vendetta and allow the development of sports.

Anurag said he would like to hold a test cricket match at the Dharamsala cricket stadium, adding that Kullu and Shimla were two districts where world-class stadiums could be constructed. He said the Annadale cricket ground in Shimla district should be converted into a stadium, which would give a major fillip to sports tourism, besides bringing in employment to the locals.

BJP state president Satpal Singh Satti, Kutlehar MLA Virender Kanwar, former minister Parveen Sharma and former MLA Balbir Chaudhary were among those who welcomed Anurag. He also wished people on Holi.

Hails Rail Budget

Anurag said it was for the first time that Rs 355 crore had been earmarked for rail expansion works in Himachal Pradesh. He added that the 27-km Una-Amb-Andaura rail line would be electrified at a cost of Rs 17 crore and the budget has provisions to extend the Amb-Andaura platform. He said he was already on the job to extend the daily Saharanpur-Nangal passenger train and the weekly Nangal-Kolkata express train to Amb-Andaura.