(a) whether there are reports of irregularities during the Zonal Youth Festival competitions;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
(c) whether there is any mechanism to monitor the process of selection of candidates for the Zonal Youth Festivals;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the remedial measures taken by the Government to stop such irregularities in the selection process of Zonal Youth Festivals?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI PRATIK PRAKASHBAPU PATIL)
(a) & (b): The Zonal Youth Festival Competitions are conducted by the Association of Indian
Universities(AIU), a registered Society under the Societies Registration Act 1860 with the
membership of Indian Universities. The AIU is a Non-Governmental Organization and is organizing
4 Zonal inter University Youth Festivals and one National Youth Festival every year. The Ministry
of Youth Affairs and Sports, under its scheme of National Programme for Youth and Adolescent
Development provides grants-in-aid to AIU for conducting its programme activities. Earlier,
this Ministry has received a complaint regarding North Zone inter university festival in 2009.
The complaint was sent to AIU for appropriate action.
(c) to (e): According to the Association of Indian Universities they have procedures laid
down for selections of candidates for Zonal Youth Festival. The judges are appointed jointly
by AIU and the host universities. As the festivals are organized by AIU, there is no role for
Government in selection of candidates.