The Department of Youth Resources & Sports has issued a clarification with regard to a news report by a Nagaland-based social media news network alleging the State Government of re-inaugurating already completed Khelo India projects.

According to DIPR, the Department stated that the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India sanctioned 11 projects to the State, out of which one was allotted to the Sports Authority of India, with its regional office at Imphal, Manipur and the rest to the Government of Nagaland through the Department of Youth Resources & Sports. The 5 (five) projects mentioned by the reporter commenced in 2020 and got completed within the stipulated time frame and on completion, the projects were virtually inaugurated by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur, on 11th March 2024.

Read more: Various Khelo India construction projects in Nagaland inaugurated by Union Minister Anurag Thakur

The Department also said that the allegation that the projects were re-inaugurated is “first of all out of question” as the projects were inaugurated by the Union Minister virtually in presence of Chief Minister Nagaland and not otherwise. Secondly, the reporter has mistakenly assumed that the fund was released in full during the time of sanction. This is not so as the fund is only sanctioned and then later on released, in parts, upon reaching set milestones as per the Khelo India operational guidelines, it added.

Further, the Department said that while it appreciates the active involvement of the public and all stakeholders in its endeavor to promote the youths through sports, misleading and unverified information circulated on media channels are not conducive for development. It said that the Department is open at all times to clarify doubts and share its information, as applicable, without reservation. The Department also requested the reputed media houses to fully confirm the facts from all concerned sources before raising allegations.