CAG shines light on lack of infra, coaches in Punjab

The Sports Department’s plans to create new infrastructure and upgrade existing ones were hit due to delay in release of funds, improper management of available funds and non-provision of encumbrance-free sites. Besides, the existing infrastructure was also not properly maintained, stated the Comptroller and the Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Vidhan Sabha today.

The report also found severe shortage of human resources related to sports activities with a 47 per cent deficit in the sanctioned strength. Furthermore, the existing sports infrastructure has suffered from neglect with maintenance falling far short of the required standards.

The reports reads, “With a view to check the extent of implementation and achievement of the goals set out for the state in the Punjab Sports Policy, 2018, and creation as well as upgradation of existing sports infrastructure in the state, an audit exercise was conducted (October 2022 – February 2023) covering the activities of the Department during the period April 2019 to March 2022.” An entry meeting was held (October 2022) with the Director (Sports) Punjab wherein the audit scope, criteria and objectives were discussed while the exit meeting took place in May 2023 to discuss the audit findings. The replies of the Department and Government of Punjab received (May and June 2023) to the audit observations have been suitably incorporated in the paragraph.

Photographs included in the CAG report depict the dilapidated state of sports facilities across the state. The multipurpose stadium at Polo Ground in Patiala, as well as badminton, basketball and swimming stadiums in SAS Nagar (Mohali), were highlighted for their poor condition. The sports stadium in Faridkot has been out of use since 2012, further illustrated the neglect in sports infrastructure maintenance.

The report also took aim at the Punjab State Sports Council (PSSC) for its role in paralysing the Central Government’s “Khelo India” initiative due to delays in land acquisition and mismanagement in releasing funds.

In CAG report stated that the government stated (June 2023) that development was a continuous process depending upon the availability of funds. The reply was not convincing as the resolve of the government was not backed by any decisions and necessary provision of funds for making available the sports infrastructure at district and sub-divisional levels.

The report also highlighted the issue of 300 multigyms purchased during 2021 of which 17 gyms in Gurdaspur and SAS Nagar were lying idle as of April 2023 due to the department’s failure to issue directions for their installation.

The audit revealed that only 347 coaches were in position against a sanctioned strength of 688, reflecting a 50 per cent shortfall. The shortage has severely hampered the adequacy of coaching facilities for athletes across the state.

In several cases, coaches were deployed in facilities without the necessary infrastructure, while other disciplines with available infrastructure had no coaches assigned.