Failure to utilise Rs 18.50 lakh grant led to court mishap: Deepender Hooda

Congress MP from Rohtak Deepender Singh Hooda on Wednesday visited the home of basketball player Hardik, who had died while practising at the mini-stadium in Lakhan Majra town.

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Expressing deep sorrow over the tragic mishap, the MP consoled the family members of the deceased player.

He stated that the tragic accidents that killed two promising young athletes from the state, Hardik and Aman, were caused due to the criminal negligence and indifference of the government.

Deepender said he had given a grant of Rs 18.50 lakh for the repair and maintenance of the infrastructure at the mini-stadium in Lakhan Majra, adding that mishap would not have taken place had the money been utilised for the purpose.

The Congress leader demanded that a member of Hardik and Aman's families be given governments job and maximum financial support.

He also demanded that the government investigate the alleged misuse of MPLADS funds and take strict action against those responsible.

Congress MP Varun Mullana, former minister Anand Singh Dangi and MLA Induraj Narwal were also present.

"This incident clearly indicates the current government's indifference towards sportspersons and facilities," he said, maintaining that the BJP government in Haryana has not built a single sports stadium in the last 11 years, whereas during the Congress government, 481 stadiums

were built at the rural and block levels in the state.

"Let alone the question of building new stadiums, the current state regime has failed even to maintain the existing sports facilities," the MP remarked.

Deepender further stated that the Union Government had also subjected Haryana to step-motherly treatment by giving it only Rs 80 crore out of the huge amount of Rs 3,500 crore allocated for sports.

"The amount granted to Haryana -- the state from where the players bring a majority of medals in the national and international events -- was the lowest in the country, while states like Gujarat received much larger budgets. Such discrimination against Haryana's athletes is a grave injustice," he maintained.