Punjab becomes first state in country to enact State (Development & Promotion of Sports) Act, 2024- CM

In a major move aimed at giving fillip to sports in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday gave nod to enact THE PUNJAB STATE (DEVELOPMENT & PROMOTION OF SPORTS) ACT, 2024, thereby becoming first state in country to do so.

Presiding over a meeting of the Sports department, the Chief Minister said that the main aim of the act is to adopt National and International good practices for the development of sports in the state and to ensure fair selection of players. He said that it will also go a long way in creating a legal framework for transparency in the working of Sports Associations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it will also ensure fair selection of players who represent their districts at the state level or the state at the national level and above.

The Chief Minister said that it will also help in the proper utilization of the government funds by Sports Associations. He said that as per the Act, one District Association in every district for a particular game will be registered. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Act also stipulates that the maintenance of accounts by a Chartered Accountant will be mandatory, and an annual statement of all expenditure and sources of income shall be published before May 31.

The Chief Minister said that documents and accounts in electronic format shall be made available to the Director Sports, Government of Punjab. He said that a five-member committee consisting of the General Secretary, two Senior Coaches, and two Eminent players shall select the team/players to represent the district or state as the case may be. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a Dispute Resolution Committee under the Deputy Commissioner/Administrative Secretary shall dispose of the appeal of the players within seven days.

The Chief Minister said that a five-member Sexual Harassment Committee at the district level will be notified by the District Magistrate, out of members of the Executive Committees of all Sports Associations with three female and two male members. He said that at the state level, a five-member committee will be notified by the Administrative Secretary of the Sports Department out of the members of the Executive Committees of State Sports Associations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that committees may take suo-moto notice of any such incidents.

The Chief Minister said that as per the Act, all the associations shall draw up a calendar of sports activities such as camps, leagues, and competitions, and the same shall be uploaded on their website by March 31 every year. He said that the Department of Sports will finalize the calendar within 30 days. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that this policy will give a major push to sports and sporting activity in the state, thereby channeling the unbounded energy of youth in a positive direction.

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