Lok Sabha Question No. 366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Development of Sports in Rural Areas
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.366

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2018

Development of Sports in Rural Areas

366. SHRI RAOSAHEB DANVE PATIL:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any measures for development of sports/ games and sports institutions for rural, tribal and hilly areas of the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds and facilities provided to  various  States/UTs  for  the  purpose  during  each  of  the  last  three years and the current year;
- (c)  whether  any  incidents  of  harassment  and  misbehaviour  with  the sportspersons have come to the notice of the Government especially from  the  rural,  tribal  and  hilly  areas  of  the  country  during  the  said period;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  corrective  and  preventive  measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS

AND SPORTS {COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)}

(a)& (b): Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports through Sports Authority of India (SAI) is implementing the various sports promotional schemes across the country to identify talented sports persons in the age group of 8-25 years and nurture them to excel at national and international competitions. Many of the sports persons identified under SAI Sports Promotional Schemes belong to the rural, backward & tribal areas of the country and are provided with regular training on Residential and

Non-Residential basis as per the approved norms.

The Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme of SAI specifically scouts talented sports persons belonging to the tribal, coastal, backward and the remote hilly regions of the country.  Trainees are being trained and provided  with  expert  sports  coaches,  playing  facilities,  consumable and  non-consumable  sports  equipment,  boarding  and  lodging,  sports and kit, competition exposure, educational expenses, medical insurance and stipend for day boarders as per the approved norms.

Also,  a  Central  Sector  Scheme,  namely,  Khelo  India  is  being implemented for development of sports / games in the entire country including rural, tribal and hilly areas of the country  since two years. The scheme, inter-alia, includes a dedicated vertical of 'Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games'. This vertical is being implemented through SAI.

During 2017-18, Rs.1.99 crore was provided to Sports Authority of India from the head of Promotion of Rural & Indigenous/ Tribal games (EBSB) Programme.  During  2018-19,  a  grant  of  Rs.  3,  36,  25,000/-  has  been sanctioned  to  SAI  for  conducting  Annual  Sports  Competition  under Promotion  of  rural  and  indigenous/tribal  games.  No  separate  fund for implementation of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' allocation has been made to any State/UT.

- (c) & (d): The incident of harassment and misbehaviour with sportsperson  undergoing  training  in  various  SAI  Schemes  are  dealt promptly  and  remedial  action  taken  thereon.    There  is  an  Internal Complaint  Committee  (ICC)  set  up  at  each  of  the  SAI  Academic/ Regional Centres to redress all such complaints. Total five incidents of harassment and misbehaviour with sports persons from the rural, tribal and hilly  areas  of  the  country  in  SAI  centres  have  been  noticed  and suitable action is being taken in the matter.
- (e)      As a matter of fact, to thwart any such incidents of harassment and misbehaviour to the sportspersons following corrective measure have been introduced:
-  Wardens have been appointed on Contract Basis by SAI.
-  CCTV Cameras have been installed in the Centres.
-  Entry of any visitor entering the campus is done at main gate.
-  'Drop Box' has been installed in Campus in SAI Sports Centre.

The trainees have been advised to drop their complaints in the box in case they are not able to express openly to the Incharge,  Coach or the Warden.  In  case  the  trainee suspects  any  wrong  act,  the complaint  may  be  made  without  disclosing  the  identity.  The  main purpose is to address the issues and resolve them promptly.

Further,  as  preventive  measure,  Sports  Authority  of  India  under the  guidance  of  National  Commission  for  Protection  of  Child  Rights (NCPCR)  has  prepared  guidelines  for  the  Safety  of    Children  (Young Sportspersons)  and  the  same  have  been  notified  to  all  the  SAI Academic/  Regional  Centres  to  provide  safe,  secure  and  healthy environment to the boys & girls trainees being trained under its Sports Promotional Schemes.

Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  &  Sports  (Department  of  Sports)  has also constituted a High Powered Committee comprising of an Officer from the Ministry, Senior Sportspersons, Sports Journalists & Advocate for Sports Women to resolve the grievances and complaints of women sports persons.

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