Haryana Minister donates Rs. 50 lakh to Dera Sacha Sauda for sports, defends, donation, Rio visit

Sirsa (Haryana) [India], Aug.28 (ANI): Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij has decided to donate Rs. 50 lakh to the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation, headed by controversial Sikh leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, for promoting sports in Haryana. While attending the "Tiranga Rumal Chhu" program in Sirsa, Vij said "Your organization is encouraging sports and athletes. Hence in order to promote sports further, I would like to give Rs. 50 lakh which is from my discretionary fund," he said. Defending his action, the Minister said the donation was from his discretionary fund and the prime objective of his donation was to promote sports in the state. "The Rs. 50 lakh, which I decided to donate to the organization, is from my discretionary fund. I am the owner of this fund. Lot of works is being done for sports and in order to promote sports further I decided to give it," he said. Stressing on the need to create better infrastructure for athletes, Vij further stated that the Haryana Government is mulling to table a Sports Council Bill in the upcoming assembly session. "This session we are planning to table a Sports Council Bill. It would be statutory body. Under the bill a Sports Council will be constituted at different levels, i.e. district and sub-divisional level, which will focus on sports related matters," he added. Meanwhile, defending his visit to the Rio during Olympics, Vij said, "this was not my decision; neither was it decided by my government. A meeting was convened; every opposition party, in the meeting compelled me to go. They said it will boost the confidence of our athletes. This decision was itself taken by the opposition. If they are indulging in double talk, then what can I do?" Anil Vij, earlier this month, faced criticism when he visited Rio to encourage Haryana players in the Olympics. (ANI)