Development of International Stadium at Bajalta
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: In a PIL seeking immediate start of work on International Stadium at Bajalta, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Sanjay Gupta today directed BCCI to deposit an amount of Rs 2.90 lakh with the Deputy Commissioner Jammu for preparation of the contour and survey plan.
DB further directed ASGI Vishal Sharma to file response within three weeks in terms of order whereby it was sought to know why the Central and the State Governments are not enhancing the facilities for sports other than the cricket in the State.
The court had earlier observed that there was acute deficiency of sports facilities in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. “In fact, most of the sports activities in which India is competing at the international level are completely absent from the State. In Srinagar, there are barely three to four stadiums: one being the Bakshi Stadium which provides for playing football; the second is the Sheri-Kashmir Indoor Stadium which provides for some indoor games; the third and fourth are TRC Ground and Polo Ground, where football and cricket are being played. The status in Jammu is not much better”, the High Court had observed.
“The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has an essential responsibility to ensure that all facilities are provided to the sports persons. Moreover, Government of India has to play crucial role in promoting sports activities in this State by providing all facilities”, the High Court had further observed, adding “it is time to remind about constitutional mandate of Section 21 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir which states that State shall strive to secure to all children the right to happy childhood with adequate medical care and attention; equal opportunities in education and employment, protection against exploitation and against moral or material abandonment”.
Given the extreme lack of sporting facilities in the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir, the DB said, “we are compelled to take up this issue so as to ensure mandate of the Constitution of India as well as the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir”.
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