Bratya worried over fate of Netaji Subhas univ sports bill
Times of India | 24 June 2025
123 Kolkata: Bengal education minister Bratya Basu on Monday expressed concern over the fate of the Netaji Subhas University of Sports and Entrepreneurship Bill, 2025, noting that three varsity bills were already stuck "in the cold storage of Raj Bhavan"."This will be the state's 48th university. I don't know whether this bill will face the same fate," Basu said in the assembly during a discussion on the legislation.Underlining the importance of public-private partnership in sports development, he said: "Private initiatives can play a vital role in producing athletes and this university aims to set that example — with the state playing the supportive role." The CM was leading this effort, Basu said, adding: "What we need now is strong resolve and inspiration. This institution will become a guiding light for future sporting disciplines."The remarks came on a day when the Private University Bill was passed in the assembly amid loud protests and disruptions by opposition MLAs. While the opposition opposed the Sports University proposal, Basu criticised their absence during the debate. "They chose instead to play games with the marshals, who had to demonstrate their physical skills in return," he quipped.Citing Bengal's rising stature in Indian sports, the minister said: "For the first time, Bengal ranked among the top 10 states in sports."Referring to wrestler Sakshi Malik's performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Basu argued that while govts could lay the foundation, it was often private efforts that pushed athletes across the finish line. "Govts can't nurture everything. Sometimes, private players have to step in," he said.