Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Sports, announced on Tuesday that he had ordered the Uttar Pradesh Department of Sports to take strong action against the contractors and Officers are accused of putting food destined for Kabaddi players competing in a tournament in Saharanpur inside a toilet.
There are videos and photos that have surfaced showing players getting their meal from the restroom while carrying plates and containers filled with rice. This could have exposed the food to germs and other undesirable elements.
“I’ve commanded that the accused contractor and policemen face stern punishment. Additionally, I’ve ordered that the contractor be excluded from the next events. This is a general directive that prevents such occurrences from occurring anywhere, “Thakur said to the news agency.
The UP sports department has also been instructed to take a tough stance against the culprits, in this case, he continued.
According to Thakur, the BJP government has seen significant advances in sports infrastructure.
“You will see that there is nourishment and the cuisine supplied there is comparable to that at a five-star hotel,” he continued, “whether you go to NIS Patiala or any other sports centre around the country.”
The Regional Sports Officer of Saharanpur, Animesh Saxena, was suspended by the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate after images showing food in the bathroom surfaced online.
“The Chief Secretary of Sports Department was informed in writing that images showing food intended for kabaddi players competing in a Saharanpur event being discovered in a bathroom have caused a great deal of slander against the department and the government.
The Chief Secretary ordered for harsh action against Regional Sports Officer, Saharanpur, Animesh Saxena. “It appears that regional authorities’ and stakeholders’ poor operations led to this event,” read the letter.
The letter further stated that Animesh was pressed for an explanation of this incident but was unable to do so. So, in accordance with the Uttar Pradesh Government Servant (Discipline and Appeal) Rule, 1999, he was suspended.
Rajnish Kumar Mishra, an additional district magistrate, stated on social media after the incident, “I witnessed that food was supplied to players in filthy conditions. The District Magistrate has instructed me to provide a report on this case within three days. I will present the DM with whatever information I uncover in my report.
Added District Magistrate Akhilesh Singh: “In Saharanpur, there was a state-level competition that received some unfavourable press. The incident report is still being written. Since it was a significant competition in which many kids took part and there have been rumours of shoddy arrangements, the situation will be properly investigated, and in a week, appropriate action will be taken against the offending official.”
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