Complaints fly around that the authorities are not doing enough for the development of grassroots facilities in sports. But the DSO claims that schools are just not interested.

In 1997-98, the government had sanctioned Rs 1 lakh for the Mumbai region: One application was received by the DSO, but was rejected as the plan to develop the school ground had not been attested by a certified state or Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Public Works Department (PWD) engineer -- a mandatory requirement.

In 1998-99, the fund for Mumbai has been upped to Rs 6 lakh. The scheme ran out in August with the DSO mail box still empty.

Speaking to Express Newsline, Narayan Shrote, Deputy Director, Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, said: ``It is embarrassing. I had requested the District Planning and Development Council (headed by MLA Sudhir Joshi) to increase the amount for Mumbai, considering that it is a large city. But if we are forced to return the entire grant, what's the point. We have sent letters to schools in July but there has been no response. Other districts in the state usually suffer from shortage of funds as too many clubs and schools apply.''

The ground development grant scheme has been in place for the past two decades. It funds projects ranging from developing an athletics track, a ground, to creating facilities for playing any of the 39 recognised sports.

Till 1996-97, the amount available for Mumbai was a pittance - recognised schools and registered clubs were given Rs 10,000 for each acre of land, with a ceiling of Rs 50,000. In 1997, the acre rule was dropped as few institutions in Mumbai had that kind of land.

Schools have complained that the procedures for obtaining the grant are laborious as it is almost impossible to get a PWD engineer to attest the plan.

One club secretary said, on conditions of anonymity, that taking even one paise from the government is a painful process as accountability is rigid. ``It is often better to go with a begging bowl to private companies as they give you Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 without much trouble. The government insists on too much paperwork, and schools get tired of this,'' says Hyacinth Nazareth, hockey coach of St Andrew's School, Bandra. Andrew's have pumped in lakhs of rupees for developing their new-look hockey ground.

Lack of infrastructure is a common complaint on the sports circuit, and schools like Francis D'Assisi (Borivli), St Andrew's (Bandra) and Fr Agnel (Vashi) have had to raise whopping sums to maintain their excellent grounds. They feel it is up to the government to oil its machinery and quicken procedures if they want schools to line up.

In defence, Shrote says: ``Since this is a government grant, we have to follow the guidelines. We have attempted to cut down on procedural delays. Earlier, the applications were sent to Pune where they were processed centrally. Now each district sports office is authorised to approve projects. Though the scheme has run out, I am willing to approve proposals even if they come in now.'' Those interested may contact the deputy director's office, 2073 897.