New Delhi, May 22 (H.S.): Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary (Communications) of the Indian National Congress, has strongly criticised the government and bureaucrats over the alleged misuse of the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF). He alleged that instead of being used to support the country’s top athletes, the fund was diverted towards constructing sports facilities in luxurious residences and welfare associations of IAS officers.

In a post on X on Friday, Jairam Ramesh stated that the NSDF primarily provides financial assistance to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which is one of the government’s flagship programmes aimed at supporting elite athletes competing at the Olympic level.

Referring to financial data, he claimed that donations received by the NSDF had sharply declined from ₹85.26 crore in the financial year 2023–24 to only ₹37.02 crore in the financial year 2025–26. He further noted that the functioning of the fund is overseen by a council chaired by the Union Sports Minister.

The Congress leader said that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports had raised the issue as early as August 2025, alleging that NSDF funds were being used for the construction of sports complexes at residences and welfare associations of IAS officers.

He further stated that a newspaper report had later exposed the alleged financial irregularities in greater detail. Expressing concern, he remarked that funds meant to prepare Olympic medal contenders were instead used to beautify luxurious bungalows of officials.

Jairam Ramesh said that at a time when the country hopes to host the Olympic Games in the future, such alleged diversion of funds could demoralise Indian athletes.

He also alleged that the ruling side ignored and rejected the Parliamentary Committee’s report merely because opposition members were part of the committee.

He added that it was now up to the leadership of the Sports Ministry to decide whether it would take corrective action against what he termed the “IAS lobby” or continue to politicise the issue.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar