Sports Ministry set to cut budget, athletes' allowances will not be affected

While the world is staring at a global recession with the coronavirus pandemic tightening its grip, the Indian sports ministry is set to cut its spending by 10 per cent in the first quarter of this financial year. However, it won't impact the out-of-pocket allowances, a monthly stipend, for athletes and their training-and-competition expenditure.

The budget cut was necessitated after, the Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs issued an office memorandum to all ministries on Wednesday fearing a ‘cash stress’ owing to the nationwide lockdown. The Department categorised the ministries under 'A', 'B' and 'C' and urged a budget cut. The sports ministry falls under category 'C' has been permitted to spend 15 per cent of the Rs 2,100 crore allotted to them.

The focus remains only on the Olympic-bound athletes, hockey teams and weightlifters. All other camps have been cancelled owing to the pandemic, which eventually will lower the spending. Besides, the sports ministry is likely to halt its infrastructure projects without compromising on the athletes' salary.

Sports secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya (Image: News18 Hindi)

Sports secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya told The Indian Express, “The budget allocation and quarterly ceiling would suffice for the needs of the Sports Department. We would have enough funds to ensure all possible ongoing activities, including payment of monthly allowance to players, salaries, pension and other committed liabilities.”

He added that the activities will pick up second quarter onwards. “With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and other international events, as well as the lockdown, our expenditure is going to be around 14-15 per cent of the budget in the first quarter of this fiscal year. We hope to pick up sports activities, training, infrastructure works, etc from the second quarter only. The expenditure is expected to pick up in the third quarter.”

The total number of Covid-19 cases in India has risen dramatically, triggering panic and prompting states to consider an extension of the lockdown meant to contain the spread of coronavirus. India has reported 6,725 Covid-19 cases and 226 people have died from the disease so far, according to data compiled by Worldometer.

Also read: Find ways to stay physically, mentally fit: Gopichand