The Union Sports Ministry has sanctioned a Central Assistance of around five crore rupees to Himachal Pradesh for development and maintenance of playfields and payment of honorarium to Kridashrees in 389 village panchayats and 10 block panchayats. According to an official release, this assistance has been sanctioned under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan – PYKKA Scheme. With this, a total grant of over 21 crore rupees have so far been sanctioned to the State for development and maintenance of playfields. Under the PYKKA, which was introduced in 2008-09, playfields are developed and maintained in villages and block panchayats across the country in a phased manner and competitions are conducted annually at block, district, state and national level.