THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SUNIL DUTT)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Government of India gives following national
level awards every year.
(i) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award :- For spectacular and
most outstanding performance in sports & games at
international level. Only one award is given every year
subject to availability of deserving sportsperson.
(ii) Arjuna Award :- For good performance consistently
for the previous three years and for showing qualities of
leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
Disciplines falling under international events,
indigenous games and sports for physically handicapped
are considered for this award. Not more than 15 awards
are given in any calendar year and, ordinarily, not more
than one award is given in one discipline subject to
availability of deserving sportspersons.
(iii)Dhyanchand Award for Life Achievements in
Sports and Games :- Three awards are given every year to
those sportspersons who have contributed by their
performance and continue to contribute to promotion of
sports even after their retirement from active sports
career.
(iv) Special Awards to Medal Winners in International
Sports Events and Their Coaches :- Cash awards are given
to medal winners in international sports events in the
disciplines of Olympic Games, Asian Games and
Commonwealth Games and Chess under the scheme of Scheme
Relating to Awards every year.
(c) The names of the States from which youths were selected for the
National Sports Awards during the last three years are
given at Annexure â I.
(d) No, Sir. Though there has been no specific
complaints regarding irregularities in the selection
process, however, there has been instances of grievance
received from sportspersons and public representatives
from time to time. These grievances mainly pertain to non-
consideration of allegedly deserving sportsperson.
(e) Does not arise.
(f) Number of awards are limited as against number
of aspirants from various disciplines. The process has
been made more transparent by revising the scheme in
April, 2002 and March, 2004 whereby the Selection
Committees for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna
Award and Dhyanchand Award are headed by eminent
sportspersons with majority of the members being
sportspersons. They scrutinise and select the best elite
sports persons for Awards.
ANNEXURE â I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) OF THE LOK
SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 167 FOR 1.3.2005 REGARDING
NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS ASKED BY SHRI BRAJESH PATHAK
Name of States from which sportspersons were selected for National Awards in Sl. Awards 2001 2002 2003 No. 1. Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Kerala & Kerala Khel Ratna Maharasht Award ra 2. Arjuna Award Punjab, Karala, West Maharashtr Punjab, Bengal, a, Andhra West Punjab, Pradesh, Begal, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Manipur Orissa, Nadu, Andhra Himachal New Pradesh, Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Haryana, U.P., New Rajasthan, U.P., Delhi. New Delhi, Andhra Haryana Pradesh, Karnataka 3. Dhyanchand ----- Delhi, Rajasthan, Award West Punjab, Bengal, Maharashtr Maharasht a, Tamil ra Nadu.