Lok Sabha Question No. 708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Financial Assistance to IOA & SOA
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.708

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01-03-2016

Financial Assistance to IOA & SOA

## 708. DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  provides  any  financial  assistance  to  the  Indian Olympic Association (IOA) including the State Olympic Association (SOA) and if so, the details of the funds provided during the last three years and the current year; (b) the details of utilization of the funds by the IOA under various heads during the

- said period; and

(c)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  prioritize  sports,  particularly Olympic sporting events through enhanced funding in the 12th Plan period?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) & (b): The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports provides grants to Indian Olympic Association  (IOA)  for  expenditure  incurred  on  air  passage,  accommodation, ceremonial kit, playing kit, etc. towards participation of the Indian contingent in International multi-sports events such as Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games  etc.  The  Ministry  does  not  provide  funds  directly  to  State  Olympic Associations. Details of funds provided by the Ministry to IOA during the last three years and the current years are as following:

| Financial Year            | Grant released (amount in Rupees)   |
|---------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 2012-13                   | 2,28,48,524.00                      |
| 2013-14                   | Nil                                 |
| 2014-15                   | 16,93,44,359.00                     |
| 2015-16 (till 24-02-2016) | 89,19,986.00                        |

While releasing the grants, it is clearly mentioned to IOA that grants are to be utilized for the purpose for which they are being sanctioned and in accordance with the provisions of the General Financial Rules and other extant instructions of the

Government. 2 nd  installment of grant is released only after submission of audited statement  of  Accounts,  certified  by  a  chartered  accountant  and  utilization certificates. (c):  The Ministry reviewed the categorization of sports disciplines on 23 rd  March 2015. A new category of 'high priority' has been created while retaining earlier three categories viz. 'priority', 'general' and 'others'. In the 'high priority' category, the sports disciplines played in the Olympic Games and in which India have won medals in the last conducted Asian Games and Commonwealth Games or in which India  has  good  chance  of  winning  medals  in  Olympics  have  been  included.  At present,  nine  (9)  sports  disciplines  viz.,  athletics,  archery,  badminton,  boxing, hockey, shooting, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling have been included. Focused attention and enhanced funding is provided to 'high category' disciplines. ****