Acting on a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the UT Sports Department has started the process of recovery from the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA), Chandigarh, for allegedly using space beyond allotment at the Sector 16 cricket stadium. The department has also issued a notice for ‘fixing responsibility’ after assessing the audit report.
As per the report, ‘undue favour to UT Cricket Association’ was made by the Sports Department. Interestingly, this year on March 26, the manager of the Sector 16 stadium had intimated the department about the UTCA utilising the additional space.
“An agreement was made between the Sports Department and the UTCA on February 21 (2023) and the former agreed to let out space in the Sector 16 stadium for one year (February 6, 2023 to February 5, 2024). The rate of monthly rent of Rs 18.04 per square feet was fixed for the area. Further, as per clause 5 of the agreement, the second party was to pay electricity and water rent as per the assessment by the Engineering Department,” read the report.
However, the audit team found that, “During the checking of records, it was noticed that the agreement expired on February 5, 2024, and no new agreement was made with the UTCA. In a letter (March 26, 2024), the manager of the stadium intimated the department that the UTCA was utilising space (kitchen, pantry, washrooms and lobby) in the stadium beyond the space provided as per agreement of February 6, 2023.” It further claimed, “Neither the department renewed the agreement, nor any rent for the additional space used by the UTCA has been recovered. Further, it was also noticed that neither a separate water meter was installed, nor the water charges were recovered from the association since February 21, 2023.”
Meanwhile, the department officials claimed that the process of recovery had already been started and the Engineering Department had been asked to give the correct assessment of charges levied for using the space. “We have already written to the Engineering Department for carrying out an assessment of the space used to ask for rent as per the Administration rules. The association will be asked to pay the entire amount once we get the report from the Engineering Department,” said a top official seeking anonymity.
Meanwhile, the audit report also mentions about other sports associations who failed to file utilisation certificates against grants given by Sports Department. A financial assistance of Rs 57.58 lakh was given to affiliated associations from 2020-21 to 2023-24. A total of Rs 9,06,277 was provided to five associations, Rs 19,47,777 to 10 associations, Rs 13,15,575 to nine and Rs 15,88,713 to seven. The utilisation certificates of Rs 28.60 lakh are claimed to be pending.
