A three-member committee, led by former Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar, has suggested a 1% sports tax on real estate taxes for all urban local governments in the state.
The administrative reforms committee aimed to address the insufficient funding in the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, which has resulted in the development of private sports facilities charging high fees.
The committee report emphasized the need for modifications to several acts, including the BBMP Act, the KMC Act, the Karnataka Municipalities Act, and the Karnataka GS and PR Act, to impose the 1% tax.
The funds collected through the sports levy will be used by the urban local bodies and Gram Panchayats for the development and maintenance of sports facilities and stadiums within their jurisdiction. To encourage the use of these funds, the committee has suggested the creation of a separate district sports authority under the DYES to provide technical support and guidance.
The committee emphasized that the ULBs and GPs must use the funds for sports development and infrastructure maintenance.
