Kottayam : Weeks after the excitement of Nehru Trophy boat race, clubs, race committees and snake boat owners are still awaiting prize money, bonuses and grants for boat repairs, with many approaching organisers to ask when payments will be made.
Officials said govt is expected to provide a grant of Rs 2 crore and that distribution will begin as soon as the amount is credited to the account.
However, they said there was no clear indication yet of when the funds would arrive. Many clubs and committees reportedly take loans and rely on collections and other fundraising efforts just to participate in the race, making early disbursal of the funds crucial to easing their financial burden.
The nine boats that finish at the top of Nehru Trophy qualify for CBL, but tourism department has not yet officially announced the names and details of the nine chundans, adding to uncertainty over the league’s conduct.
S M Iqbal, secretary of the Boat Clubs Association, said the association was hopeful that govt would release the grant before the 10th of this month. With Nehru Trophy concluded, preparations for Champions Boat League (CBL) are also expected to begin.