Lok Sabha Question No. 1772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Sports Funding in the Country
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: BHARATI DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL, RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK, KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

1772.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1772 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018 Sports Funding in the Country

DR. BHARATIBEN D. SHYAL: SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK: SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether sports funding in the country is inadequate as compared to global standards and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to enhance the funding;
- (b) whether the Government is taking steps to improve transparency in sports spending by providing more incentives to the corporate sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to use technology as a part of e-governance regarding sports budget, sponsorships and spending and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether there is any proposal to bring all the sports associations under Right to Information Act in order to make all the sports bodies accountable and transparent in their operations?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)]

- (a)     There are no specific global standards for funding of sports in a country.  In  addition  to  Government  Budgetary  support,  additional

mobilization of resources from other Sources including the corporate entities both in public and private sector, for promotion and development  of  sports  in  the  country,  the  Government  had  set  up National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) in 1998. Since inception and till  date,  contribution  of  Rs.  155.57  crore  has  been  received  from corporates both in public  and  private  sector  and  individuals  and  the Government of India has made contribution of Rs. 84.62 crore to NSDF as matching share.

(b)     In order to improve transparency in sports spending, Government incentivizes the contributions of Corporate Sector to NSDF in sports by exempting 100% contribution from income tax under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.

Further, Government has also taken a number of steps to ensure that all National Sports Federations (NSFs) function in a transparent manner. Instructions  have  already  been  issued  to  bring  the  NSFs  under  the purview of Right to Information Act. These instructions have also been made an integral part of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.

(c)  The Government has transformed method of budgeting, accounting, expenditure and cash management by releasing funds through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) module.

(d)    All NSFs receiving funding of Rs.10 Lakh or more in a financial year have been declared as Public Authority under RTI act 2005. All NSFs getting  covered  by  this  provision  are  required  to  designate  Central Public Information Officers and Appellate Authorities as per Section 5 of the Right to Information Act, 2005. They are further requested to fulfil their obligations of being a Public Authority, as per Section 4 of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

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