Report on Khuman Lampak Sports Complex YAS Director furnishes detailed clarification
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2014: The Director of Youth Affairs and Sports has come up with a detailed clarification on the news report published in this daily regarding upgradation and renovation of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex (KLSC) at the cost of Rs 100 crore.

In terms of Para 12.230 of the report of the 13th Finance Commission, Rs 100 crore was awarded for the upgradation and renovation of KSLC, said a statement issued by YAS Director N Ashok Kumar.

In the memorandum to the 13th Finance Commission, provision for upgrading the main stadium, hockey stadium, renovation of cycle velodrome, upgrading aquatic complex, main indoor hall, improvement of Kangshang, internal roads, special repair of wall, electrification and construction of pavilion for practice fields amounting to Rs 75 crore and Rs 25 crore for a corpus fund for the maintenance of KLSC were proposed.

However, proposals for corpus fund or in its place stipend/scholarship or outstanding sportspersons were rejected, the statement said and added that even the proposal for procurement of sports equipment from the 13th Finance Commission award was rejected.

Regarding increase of seating capacity of main stadium to 60,000 and installation of flood lighting system in the stadium, the statement said that both the proposals were dropped in the revised DPR citing the reasons of cost ineffectiveness.

The prevailing power situation of the State is too grim and requirement of 25 MW for a flood light match does not auger well for its utilisation in terms of the available power supply.

Moreover, the number of matches which are attended by more than 20,000 spectators are very few and hence high investment for increasing seating capacity was dropped.

The statement said that the State Government felt that there was need to concentrate more on effective training of players rather than increasing the seating capacity at this juncture.

The statement added that it may be mentioned that any changes in DPR was first approved by the State Level High Committee, which is then submitted to the Ministry of YAS and after their approval, the fund must be released.

Regarding alleged sub-standard works in hockey stadium, the YAS Director in his statement clarified that renovation and upgradation of the stadium is still in progress.

A new synthetic surface has been laid and some minor damages which occurred during transportation have also been repaired at two different parts of the synthetic surface, the statement said and added that there are additional rolls of synthetic material to reconstruct future damages as well.

It added that the newly laid surface would be inspected by a team of experts after 100 hours of the first match and suggestions if any would be considered.

With regards to iron goal posts, the statement clarified that these were fixed for practice purpose as fibre posts are yet to reach Imphal.

Regarding compound wall, the statement said that provision for construction of a new compound wall by pulling down the existing wall was neither included in the proposal submitted to the 13th Finance Commission nor in the revised DPR.

Accordingly, works were taken up to renovate the existing compound wall and new walls were constructed where there was no wall, the statement added.

Manipur Development Society (MDS) was chosen for the renovation and upgradation of KLSC as it is a Society of the State Government which undertakes construction works of various Government Departments.

Since the establishment of MDS, Chief Secretary is the Chairman of MDS and only in July 2013, Chief Minister was made the Chairman on the basis of a decision of the general body of MDS.

As MDS is not a Constitutional body or established through a legislation, the chairmanship was again reverted to the Chief Secretary in September 2014, the statement said.

Regarding entry of visitors to KLSC, the statement said that it was decided to restrict entry of one and all after a series of incidents in which many visitors were found using illegal substances and some even in compromising positions.

The main gate is opened during National level competitions and important events.

The southern gate is opened to maintain sanctity of the complex and security purpose.

Saying that the restrictions were enforced in consultation with coaches, sports persons and associations, the statement said that the restrictions neither affect regular practice by players in various sports facilities nor any State level competitions.

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