RAIPUR,CG: Chhattisgarh State Sports Minister Tank Ram Verma on Thursday asked officials to prepare an action plan for the maintenance and expansion of the existing sports infrastructure. He also gave instructions to prepare a strong 5-year action plan to encourage sports activities and creativity among the youth.

He was holding a review meeting of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department at the Secretariat.

The department officials present briefed the minister on all of the activities and achievements. The upcoming proposed activities were also presented. It was said that awards for the remaining years of outstanding player decoration will also be announced soon. Along with the current budget received under “Khelo India” of the Central Government, the process of sending proposals for the development of new districts and new sports activities.

Verma asked to implement the strong and transparent scheme of “Chhattisgarh Sports Promotion Scheme” and “Chief Minister Yuva Ratna” Award.

Verma said that by getting affiliation from Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education established in Madhya Pradesh, efforts will be made at the central level to start a unit college in Chhattisgarh also.

He asked to prepare a separate action plan for the protection, promotion and facilities of the most popular and traditional sports of Chhattisgarh. In this way, work should be done promptly to provide facilities, training and financial support to the recognized sports organizations, youth organizations, players and youth.

Lack of budget will not be a hindrance for the work. They themselves will make efforts for it with the state government and the central government, he added.

The Sports Minister called to speed up the recruitment process on the vacant posts of the department and fill the vacancies immediately. He said that till the recruitment process, ad-hoc contractual appointments, especially for coaches, should be considered.

Similarly, the minister asked to ensure implementation of the instructions given for the promotions of departmental officers and employees, salary hike, time scale pay scale and prompt disposal of investigation cases.

He asked to update the departmental website and make it usable. Departmental Secretary Himshikhar Gupta, Joint Secretary Taran Prakash Sinha, Director Tanuja Salam and officials of the Ministry and Directorate were present in the review meeting.