Gill urges hike in sports scholarship

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) With a view to encreasing the standard of sports in India, Union Sports Minister M S Gill today demanded an increase in the scholarship money given to children who excell in various games.

''Overall we have around 21 crore children and a little less than 10,000 scholarships which is very nominal. There is a need to expand all these with the support of Prime Minister and Finance Minister,'' Gill said.

The minister, who was replying to questions in the Rajya Sabha, gave details about the scholarship money which ranges between Rs 6,600 per annum to 18,000 per annum.

''It is a pittance. It embarrasses me and should embarrass the country. We will look into it,'' he added.

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