Yaithibi Loukon low lying barb of Vijay Goel...Ibobi flays Union Minister's remark
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 05 2016: Taking strong exception to the remark of Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel that Yaithibi Loukon is a low-lying area and not suitable for establishment of National Sports University, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi asked why the Union MoS (YAS) made the remark only yesterday, more than one year after 336 acres of Yaithibi Loukon was handed over to the Central Government.

Addressing a press conference held at the Chief Minister's conference hall today, Ibobi pointed out that a team of the Ministry of YAS led by Secretary (Sports) Sh Ajit M Sharan made a field inspection of Yaithibi Loukon on August 1 and 2, 2014 .

Ibobi flays Union Minister's remark

Out of six sites inspected by the State Government, the Centre picked three sites namely; Yaithibi Khunou, Laijing and Chaobok and Yaithibi Loukon was ultimately chosen.

Against 200 acres demanded by the Ministry, the State Government handed over 336 acres keeping in view the possibility of campus expansion in future.

As YAS Ministry was insisting the State Government to provide land as soon as possible, the State Government purchased land directly from owners at the rate of Rs three lakh per Sangam (point 62).Thinking about the possibility of future expansion, the State Government has already acquired 390 acres.

The process of purchasing land was handled by a committee which comprised of the DC, SDO Sub-Registrar concerned and officials of Sports Department.

The Government never acquired any piece of land forcibly.

The whole area was purchased from willing owners.

Moreover, no areas inhabited by Muslims and tribes were affected, Ibobi stated.

The area thus acquired was handed over to Ministry of YAS on August 27, 2015.The hand over and take over was done between YAS Ministry Secretary Sunil Garg and State YAS Director Bhaktaraj.

The hand over was done under a condition that the said area would revert to the State Government if National Sports University is not set up there.

The Ministry did not make any comment like the area is low lying and land development would cost a lot of money when the area was handed over.

It is rather surprising that Union MoS (YAS) Vijay Goel stated that the area is low-lying, agricultural lands affected and it is far away from the State capital, Ibobi remarked.

He then urged the Government to start construction of National Sports University without any further delay if Prime Minister Narendra and the Union YAS Minister sincerely love Manipur and the State's sports persons.

Even though the Central Government declared that Rs 100 crore had been earmarked for construction of National Sports University, not a single rupee had been sanctioned to the State Government.

Construction of National Sports University should be handled by the Central Government and selection of implementing agency should also be done by the Central Government.

The State Government's role is restricted to providing land required for construction of the university, Ibobi added.