IMPHAL, June 23: Manipur Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh, today said that the State Government has already handed over 336.93 acres of land to the Union ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) against the 200 acres of land they proposed for the setting up of the National Sports University (NSU) in Manipur.
This was stated by Chief Minister during a press conference held at the cabinet hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon. He said that site selection for the proposed university was also finalised by the expert team of the Ministry after due inspection of six sites way back in August 2014.
A memorandum of agreement in this regard was signed on August 27, 2015 between the Government of India through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the State Government through the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports for the setting up of the National sports University at Yaithibi khunou, Thoubal District. For this purpose, the state government has handed over 336.96 acres of land within Yaithibi Khunou Village in Thoubal disrict free of cost to the Ministry and the formal handing over taking over was also done on August 27, 2015, Ibobi said.
Considering the future expansion of the said University, the state govt is attempting to provide at least 400 acres of land for the university, Ibobi continued and clarified that since the state government has already provided more land than the 200 acres asked by the Ministry of YAS, Government of India, there was no question of unresolved matter regarding acquisition of land and the piece of land measuring about 34 acres of land which is under litigation is expected to be disposed of soon.
He appealed to all to join hands to make appeal to the Government of India to expedite the setting up of the University by passing the required bill in the parliament and to commence the functioning of the University at the premises of the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal, where adequate infrastructural facilities are available.
Chief Minister Ibobi’s clarification came a day after some BJP Manipur Pradesh leaders expressed their apprehension over the chances of shifting the construction site of the proposed NSU from Manipur unless the necessary formalities including land acquisition process at Yaithibi Loukon in Thoubal district are cleared on time.
The Chief Minister’s Press conference was attended by all the cabinet ministers and the Chief O Nabakishore Secretary, Manipur.
