Palaniswami tells TN govt to avoid taking sports camp fee from students

Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday condemned the DMK regime over fixation of fee by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu for under-18 students participating in the annual summer coaching camp to be held across the state.

Palaniswami, the Leader of Opposition, said the SDAT fixing fee was a never seen before "novelty". The state government must not collect any fee from students at all, he said, and underscored that most aspirants were from government and government-aided schools.

Parents and students have opposed the move and it has also led to resentment among sports enthusiasts, the former CM said in a statement.

The AIADMK chief, pointing to the DMK government's assurances related to encouraging sporting talent and giving a boost to sports infrastructure, asked if fixing fee for students was intended to nurture talent.

On April 24, the SDAT announced a fee of Rs 500 and Rs 200 in Chennai and other district headquarter towns respectively for the under-18 summer coaching camp to be held from April 29 to May 13 in 38 districts including Chennai.