NMC finds running sports complexes ‘unaffordable’
| Date :16-Jun-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
Proposes to hand them over to private agencies through competitive e-tendering for a period of three years
It’s official. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has admitted that it cannot afford to run the sports complexes by itself, considering its financial health. After admitting this, it has now proposed to allow private agencies to run the complexes for a period of three years. NMC’s admission has come on record in the agenda for the general body meeting scheduled on June 20. Apart from poor financial health, another reason given is expenditure that may be incurred on appointment of minimum five to maximum 17 employees at each of the identified six sports complexes in the city. Stating this on record, Sports Department of NMC has proposed to ‘privatise’ those.
The six complexes listed in the agenda of NMC general body meeting are as follows: Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Sankul, Satranjipura Badminton Krida Sankul, Badminton Hall in Mahal, Vivekanand Nagar Krida Sankul, Dr Ambedkar Krida Sankul, and Ganesh Nagar Skating Rink. Of these, tender process for Dr Ambedkar Krida Sankul and Ganesh Nagar Skating Rink has been completed. At present, NMC is paying Rs 25 lakh per annum to a private agency for upkeep of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Sankul. As per the NMC proposal, handing over the sports complexes will not only save money but also make available good sporting facilities to the citizens at affordable rates.
The local body has also proposed per player per hour monthly charges for various facilities as follows: Badminton -- Rs 500, Gymnasium -- Rs 650, Swimming -- Rs 800, and Skating -- Rs 500. NMC has proposed the rates to avoid trainers/coaches collecting varying charges. There are several other aspects related to the proposal. These aspects have been incorporated after a team led by Nagesh Sahare, Chairman of Sports Committee of NMC, and comprising Pramod Tabhane, Deputy Chairman of the committee; Rajesh Mohite, Deputy Commissioner (Sports); and Naresh Sawaitul, officiating Sports Officer, paid a visit to Pune in March earlier this year.
The team later submitted its report and recommendations. Some of these recommendations also will be considered by the general body. As per the team’s recommendations, NMC has proposed to prepare a permanent staffing pattern for Sports Department. Besides, the agreement to be signed between NMC and the private agency to which sports complexes will be given, will have a clause that the eligible agency should carry out minor repairs and NMC should take care of major repairs.