Lok Sabha Question No. 2407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Sports Infrastructure and Welfare of Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2407 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

Sports Infrastructure and Welfare of Sportspersons

2407. Shri Raju Bista:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  number  of  sports  infrastructure projects initiated for creation or upgradation under the Scheme of Creation and Upgradation of Sports Infrastructure in West Bengal, district-wise;
- (b) the details of the funds allocated, sanctioned, disbursed and utilized for the creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure since 2019  in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, year-wise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any  scheme  for  the
- welfare of Indian sportspersons of National and International levels; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the welfare schemes formulated for the purpose and quantum of funds utilised?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }

(a) and (b) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government  only  supplements  their  efforts by bridging critical gaps. However,  under  the  'Creation  and  upgradation  of  sports  infrastructure' component  of  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  this  Ministry  renders  financial support for creation of basic sports infrastructure such as sports complex, synthetic  athletic  tracks,  synthetic  hockey  fields,  synthetic  turf  football grounds,  multipurpose  halls,  swimming  pools,  etc.,  across  the  country, including in the State of West Bengal. The details of the sports infrastructure projects approved and their sanctioned cost, funds released and their physical and financial progress, under Khelo India Scheme, across

the country, including in the State of West Bengal, are available in public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in.

## (c) and (d) This Ministry implements following schemes for the welfare of sportspersons of national and international level is as under:

- i) Scheme of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons with the objective of providing financial assistance  to  outstanding  sportspersons/family  members  living  in indigent circumstances for various purposes like ameliorate condition, medical treatment, injuries, procurement of sports equipments etc.
2. ii) Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons with an objective to provide assured monthly income  through  annuity  for  outstanding  sportspersons.  Under  the existing  Scheme,  a  monthly  pension  ranging  from  Rs.12,000/-  to Rs.20,000/- is provided to the ex-sportspersons.

## The details of funds allocated and utilised in the above schemes are given below:

| Name of Scheme                                                      |   2023- 24 (Rupees in crore) |   2023- 24 (Rupees in crore) |   2024-25 (Rupees in crore) |   2024-25 (Rupees in crore) |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportsperson |                          2   |                         0.78 |                           2 |                        0.89 |
| Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons                                |                          5.5 |                         5.45 |                           4 |                        3.82 |

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