Bhubaneswar: The state government is emphasising on sports infrastructure and internet connectivity for rural areas, while also preparing guidelines for water sports to promote tourism, said the ministers who address the media here Sunday.
“A new initiative ‘Sports with aim for international acclaim (SWARNA)’ will be taken up in 2017-18 with an initial outlay of Rs 96 crore covering the development and management of sports infrastructure at the grassroots level,” said Sports & Youth Services and Electronics & IT Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera said.
Behera said Rs 77 crore has been sanctioned for 314 rural and 78 urban mini stadium projects so far.
Additional facilities like 100 mini indoor halls, toilets, open-gym projects have been planned in 2017-18.
The sports minister said that construction of swimming pool complex at 30 districts has been planned of which two are existing.
Focus has also been given on promotion of sports, the minister said, adding, several championships such as ‘22nd Asian Athletics Championships’ from July 5 to 9, ‘FIH world league final (men) from December 6 to 14’ and ‘FIH world cup 2018 from November 28 to December 16, 2018’ have been scheduled to be organised in the Capital city.
In a bid to promote tribal games and identify hidden sporting talents among the tribal youths, a budget provision of Rs 4 crore has been made.
On E & IT sector, the minister said in order to provide robust internet connectivity up to gram panchayat levels, all the panchayats would be connected with high-speed internet connectivity by March 2019.
State Wide Area Network (SWAN) connecting all government offices up to block level will also be upgraded by December 2018, he added.
In order to tackle cyber security related issues, Computer Emergency Response Team of Orissa (CERTO) will be set up in the state by December 2017, he said.
The minister further said, in order to promote BPO sector in the state for creating more employment opportunities in rural and urban areas, a new BPO policy will be framed by December 2017.
Addressing the media, Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda said in order to promote in the state, which has a vast coastline of 480 km, water sports guidelines will be formulated soon. The Tourism department will not only be sponsoring sports events like Asian Athletics championship and world hockey league, but will also utilise the events to promote state’s tourism potential.
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