‘Govt planning to tax sports, sportspersons’

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today claimed that the state government was planning to “tax” sports and sportspersons. “Having taxed other sections of society, the government has turned towards sports and sportspersons for generating income,” alleged Thakur.

The Leader of Opposition alleged that the government was seeking a rent of Rs 10,000 for grounds for conducting sports trials. “A while back a prestigious sports event had to be shifted to other state due to the lack of support from the government,” he alleged.

Thakur said that it was the government’s job to encourage sports and ensure all-round development of players. “A player plays for his state and his country. Therefore, it is the state’s job to provide them with a suitable environment to play, and not charge rent,” he said.