Lok Sabha Question No. 316 (STARRED), answered on 2015-08-11
Subject: Promotion of Para-Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: KRISTAPPA NIMMALA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 316

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2015

Promotion of Para-Sports

*316. SHRI NIMMALA KRISTAPPA:

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

1. whether the Indian Government has urged the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Indian athletes to participate in various sports competitions under the National Flag of India;

1. if so, the details thereof and the response of IPC in this regard;

1. **w** hether the Government has taken steps to promote para-sports and para-athletes in the country;

1. if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated and utilized for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year; and

1. **the mechanism put in place by the Government to administer para-sports in the country?**

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND** SPORTS

**(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)**

**(a) to (e)	A statement is laid on the Table of the House.**

**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.316 FOR REPLY ON 11-08-2015 ASKED BY SHRI NIMMALA KRISTAPPA REGARDING PROMOTION OF PARA-SPORTS.**

**(a)		Yes, Madam.**

**(b) 		Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has been recognised by the Government as National Sports Federation for promotion of Sports amongst the physically challenged sportspersons in the country. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) suspended PCI on 22-04-2015 for an unlimited period of time mainly due to conflicts at the national level between different groups and persons. Pursuant to the IPC’s decision Government of India has also suspended PCI on 22.4.2015. The Ministry vide letter dated 21.5.2015 requested IPC to allow Indian athletes to participate under the National Flag of India. It was also requested that Sports Authority of India (SAI) be authorized for sending the entries of the athletes.**

**IPC vide their letter  dated 13-07-2015 informed that the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) India’s right to enter its athletes in IPC- sanctioned competitions would be honoured, while the suspension  of NPC India otherwise would remain in full force.   Only Government (represented by SAI) are authorised to register India’s athletes in IPC-sanctioned competitions.**

**(c) & (d)	Madam, NSFs are autonomous bodies registered under Societies/  Companies Act.  Government does not normally interfere in their day to day activities. Promotion and development of various disciplines of sports is primarily the responsibility of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) including PCI which is presently under suspension.  The Ministry only supplements their efforts by providing financial assistance under the scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations for organizing national/international sports events in India, participation in international events abroad, organizing national coaching camps, engagement of foreign coaches, equipment support etc. The details of funds provided under this scheme to PCI during the last three years and the current year are as below:-**

| **Sl. No.**   | **Year**                      | **Amount released (Rs. in lakh)**   |
|---------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| **1.**        | **2012-13**                   | **175.46**                          |
| **2.**        | **2013-14**                   | **143.40**                          |
| **3.**        | **2014-15**                   | **197.72**                          |
| **4.**        | **2015-16  (Till May, 2015)** | **Nil**                             |

**(e)		Madam, SAI has been asked to handle all the matters relating to para-athletes such as selection of athletes for various sporting events, conduct of coaching camps and submission of entries of para-athletes for international tournaments etc.**

******