Khelo India: Haryana, Punjab Got Less Than ₹100 Cr Each; Gujarat, UP Over ₹400 Cr Each - Questions Raised

The Central government is facing intense scrutiny over the allocation of funds under the Khelo India Scheme, particularly for favouring BJP-ruled states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. According to a statement released by the Centre on July 22, Gujarat received ₹426.13 crore and Uttar Pradesh ₹438.27 crore for sports infrastructure development. In stark contrast, Haryana and Punjab, states that contribute significantly to India’s Olympic contingent, received only ₹66.59 crore and ₹78.02 crore, respectively.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, provided a detailed state-wise breakdown of the funds released under the Khelo India Scheme in response to a question in the Lok Sabha. The data showed a glaring disparity in the distribution of funds, raising questions about the criteria used for these allocations.

State/UT-wise details of funds released by the Government for the development of sports infrastructure under Khelo India Scheme since its inception

Punjab and Haryana, which have a long-standing tradition of producing top-tier athletes and bringing home many accolades including Olympics and Commonwealth medals, sent a combined total of 43 athletes to the Paris Olympics. Specifically, Punjab accounts for 19 athletes and Haryana for 24, making them the largest contributors to India’s 117-member Olympic contingent. Conversely, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh sent only two and seven athletes, respectively.

Pargat Singh, Congress MLA from Punjab and former captain of the Indian Hockey Team, has been vocal in his criticism of this apparent bias.

In an X post on Monday, the Jalandhar Cantonment MLA questioned the rationale behind the fund distribution, stating, “Despite sending 48 athletes to the Paris Olympics, Punjab and Haryana received ₹78 crore and ₹66 crore, respectively, while UP and Gujarat, sending only nine athletes, got ₹438 crore and ₹426 crore. Is this not biased distribution? How long will BJP continue this discrimination against states?”