Published Aug 02, 2024 | 5:11 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 02, 2024 | 5:11 PM
Revanth Reddy in Assembly. (Screengrab)
After the Young India Skill University, Hyderabad is set to have a modern cricket stadium complying with international standards. It will come up in Bagarikanche in Rangareddy district where the state government has proposed the Skill University.
Making a statement in the Assembly on Friday, 2 August, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that his government has already held talks with the representatives of the BCCI to construct the best stadium in the world. It will come up next to the National Academy of Construction, which is also being shifted to Bagarikanche, he said.
Revanth said his government would soon bring forth a policy that would encourage sports even in rural areas.
“We have studied the best sports policy that is in implementation in Haryana state. Any sportsman or woman, who gets the Arjun Award or any other medal, would automatically get government support to further hone his or her skills,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister said that the state had allocated ₹321 crore for the promotion of sports in the state and that it was open to receiving any useful and constructive suggestions.
“We welcome the proposal that stadia should be set up in all mandal headquarters. Money is not an issue. The problem is getting the necessary land. In many areas, the government land has appreciated in value and is under illegal occupation. Wherever there is land, we have no objection to constructing the stadia to promote sporting talent,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister deplored the misuse of stadia in Hyderabad for conducting political events over a period of time. “The state government intended to develop and upgrade these stadia and put them to the right use. This is the only way to kindle the youth’s interest in sports,” he further elicited support from all parties in this endeavour.
Reddy said sports need to be promoted in a big way to prevent youth from getting addicted to bad habits.
The chief minister was speaking during a debate on an amendment bill to provide employment under Group-1 Services (Dy Superintendent of Police) to boxer Nikhat Zareen and cricketer Mohammed Siraj in appreciation of their outstanding performances at the international level.
Revanth Reddy said that his government had helped international boxing sensation Nikhat Zareen financially and allotted a house site for her.
“Similarly, we are providing a Group I job to cricketer Mohammad Siraj. For one to land a good job, it is not necessary that one should have a high education. Sports is also one way,” he added.
An interesting discussion took place when the house met in the morning for the last day of the current session.
After Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu introduced a bill to amend the Civil Courts Act, BRS member KT Rama Rao said that in the anxiety to bring in legislation, the state government should not ride roughshod over the fundamental rights of the people.
There is a disconcerting trend in several states including Telangana to use the police force excessively to muzzle the voice of the people, he said.
Taking an exception to KTR’s statements, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar questioned whether no action should be taken against those who malign the image of the leaders in social media.
He referred to an objectionable meme posted against Panchayat Raj Minister Sithakka alias Danasari Anasuya and asked whether the state should not take any action.
Ponnam Prabhakar further recalled how repressive the previous government was whenever anyone opened a voice against it and the number of cases it had registered against them.
KTR asserted that it was unfair to blame only one party for the malady since all parties are victims of this slander in the media but at the same time in the name of prevention of such acts of tarnishing one’s image, a state should not get repressive.
He further sought to set up fast-track courts in all districts to try cases of rape and molestation and dispense justice quickly.
“A fast-track court would be a deterrent since those who are tempted to commit such atrocities would be afraid that summary action would follow,” he said and recalled the saying justice delayed is justice denied and wanted the government to take steps in this direction.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, speaking on the bill to bring forth a new Act for Dharnai, said the government has resolved many of the two lakh cases of land disputes pending in the state.
Noting that the maintenance of the Dharani portal was entrusted to a company in Singapore when the BRS was in power, Srinivasa Reddy said, “The people had given verdict in the recent assembly elections because they were furious with the government for tampering with their land rights using the Dharani portal.”
“We have constituted a committee to study the Dharani portal to end the problems faced by the people. We have studied Acts related to lands in 18 states and are coming out with an Act that would be a role model for the entire country,” he said.
Srinivasa Reddy further alleged that the previous government had used Dharani to usurp the lands of the people. “We will do justice to all those who lost their lands after the Dharani portal came into force,” he said.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
