Haryana Sports Push and ASSOCHAM Urge Long-Term Investment to Stabilise Rupee
Haryana has awarded ₹147.16 crore to 1,319 medal-winning athletes and invested ₹321 crore in sports infrastructure, while ASSOCHAM backs RBI measures and seeks tax reforms to attract long-term foreign investment.
The government has awarded cash prizes totalling ₹147.16 crore to 1,319 medal-winning athletes who brought recognition to India and Haryana in various national and international competitions over the past two years. The rewards are intended to recognise their achievements, boost morale and encourage them to prepare for future competitions.
To strengthen sports development at the grassroots level, Haryana has established 2,000 sports nurseries across the state. Recognising that sporting talent emerges from villages and towns, the initiative provides young children and emerging athletes with professional and scientific training from an early stage. The programme aims to nurture talent capable of competing in future international competitions.
Alongside grassroots training, the government has focused on upgrading sports infrastructure and expanding access to advanced facilities. A total of ₹321 crore has been spent on renovating and modernising sports grounds, stadiums and other infrastructure. Equipped with modern equipment and improved facilities, these complexes are intended to give young people across Haryana better opportunities to develop their sporting abilities.
The state's sports policies focus on the comprehensive development of athletes, including employment opportunities, recognition and access to world-class training facilities. Continued support for players and investment in sports infrastructure have reinforced Haryana's emphasis on competitive sports.
Through cash incentives for medal winners, sports nurseries for emerging talent and infrastructure upgrades, the Haryana government has sought to strengthen the state's sporting ecosystem. Haryana has emerged as a major sporting centre in the country, with its athletes representing India internationally and bringing recognition to the national flag.
ASSOCHAM Backs RBI Measures, Calls for Tax Reforms to Attract Long-Term Foreign Investment
Amid recent volatility in the rupee and foreign portfolio investor (FPI) flows, ASSOCHAM President Nirmal K. Minda said the industry chamber appreciated the coordinated actions taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government to maintain macroeconomic stability amid global uncertainty.
His remarks came in response to former RBI Governor D. Subbarao's recent observations that the rupee's long-term strength would ultimately depend on India's ability to attract sustained capital flows backed by strong economic fundamentals.
"We fully align with Dr. Subbarao's emphasis on durable flows based on fundamentals, and note with appreciation the steps already taken by the government and the RBI," Minda said.
ASSOCHAM said the measures had helped the rupee recover from recent lows. The chamber also pointed to the successful completion of the $133 billion FCNR(B) mobilisation window, which closed on August 31.
ASSOCHAM Chief Economist S.P. Sharma said India's macroeconomic fundamentals remained strong, citing healthy foreign exchange reserves, the RBI's projected GDP growth of 7.1 per cent for FY27 and efforts to keep inflation under control through calibrated monetary tightening.
The industry chamber also welcomed recent measures announced by the Finance Ministry to attract long-term foreign investment.
Among these was the Income-tax Amendment Ordinance, 2026, which exempts foreign portfolio investor investments in government securities from taxes on interest income and capital gains with effect from April 1, 2026.
ASSOCHAM also welcomed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's recent indication that investor feedback on long-term capital gains tax (LTCG) and securities transaction tax (STT) would be considered during consultations for the 2027-28 Budget.
However, the industry body called for continued tax rationalisation, simpler interpretation of tax provisions and consideration of measures that incentivise longer-term equity investment over short-term capital flows.
ASSOCHAM said it would continue working with the government, the RBI and market regulator SEBI to strengthen India's appeal as a destination for long-term global capital. The chamber's position highlights the importance of predictable tax policies, economic fundamentals and sustained investment flows in supporting macroeconomic stability.

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