Dr Thokchom Meinya
File photo of MP Thokchom Meiny.

Manipur Lok Sabha MP Thokchom Meinya has urged the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports to establish an Institute of Polo under the National Sports University (NSU).

MP Meinya made the request while participating in the discussion for consideration and passing of the NSU Bill 2018 in the ongoing parliament on Friday, as per the communiqué which was made available here on Saturday.

He further mentioned that Manipur is the Home to Polo. The Regular International Polo Tournament is being held in Imphal Pologround every year. This will be a blessing and a good gesture to the Polo lovers of the world.

Earlier while discussing NSU Bill 2018, he flayed the Union Government and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the delay in starting the NSU.

He informed that the establishment of the NSU was announced by the Prime Minister and Rs 100 crore was allocated in 2014-15. Land measuring 325.90 acres at Koutruk, Imphal West and Manipur was already arranged by the Government of Manipur.

But only on August 10, 2017 the NSU Bill 2017 was introduced in Lok Sabha. The Bill was sent to the Standing Committee and its Report was submitted on January 15, 2018. The Bill was not passed in the last Budget Session, it said.

“No doubt, the session was completely washed out and the Lok Sabha was always in Pandemonium. However, The NSU Bill 2017 could have been passed in the similar way as we have passed the Union Budget and other Govt Bills without any discussion during the pandemonium of the House. But it did not happen,” he said.

The NSU Ordinance 2018 was promulgated on May 31, 2018. Thus the NSU in Manipur came into existence on May 31, 2018.

The MP has strongly urged upon the Union Government and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to immediately start the works at the Mother Campus at Koutruk and develop the Mother Campus fully before the opening of any Outlying Campuses/Centres.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]