Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 29 : Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today reviewed the “Arun Jaitely’ project for Hiranagar in district Kathua of Jammu & Kashmir. The project envisages a multiple complex comprising multi-sports outdoor facility as well as an Indoor Stadium.
MoS Youth Affairs and Sports (I/C) Kiren Rijiju spelt out the plan for the project in different phases while Advisor Sports Jammu & Kashmir Farooq Khan gave his inputs online from Jammu. A detailed briefing and update was also given by Union Sports Secretary, Ravi Mittal.
Later, Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed that on his request, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Government of India, had, in principle, agreed to set up a Sports Complex at Hiranagar, in the name of Arun Jaitely who happened to be the son-in-law from here and had over the years, shown deep interest in day-to-day political as well other development activities in Jammu & Kashmir. He said, the project was proposed last year itself, but on account of COVID pandemic and other circumstances, it got delayed.
The financial funding for the project, said Dr Jitendra Singh is being worked out and the Foundation Stone would be laid soon after the official formalities have been completed. He said, he was keen that if possible, the work on the project should start by 24th of August which happens to be the first death anniversary of Arun Jaitely.
Dr Jitendra Singh, who was known to be very close to Arun Jaitley, had at the time of Jaitley’s untimely death, made the widely reported remark that “India had lost its best brain”. He recalled that when he had accompanied Jaitley during the latter’s last visit to Jammu about three years ago, a demand for Sports Stadium was put up by the residents of Hiranagar. Jaitley, who was himself a great promoter of sports particularly cricket, had taken a serious note of this demand, and therefore, this would be a befitting, even though a humble tribute to his memory, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh further disclosed that the land for the project has already been identified at Hiranagar and the local people there had offered to extend all cooperation required. The Municipal Committee of Hiranagar and the public representatives were very enthusiastic about it, he added.
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