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 (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.33 FOR REPLY ON 25-11-2014 ASKED BY SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL AND SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH REGARDING PROMOTION OF SPORTS AMONG THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED.
(a) Madam, ‘Sports’ is a State subject. The primary responsibility for development and promotion of a sports discipline including organizing various events rests with the concerned Sports Federation and the State Governments. Government of India only supplements the efforts of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) by providing financial assistance under the various schemes of the Government.
Government has recognised Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) as the NSF for promotion of sports among physically challenged sportspersons. The following schemes are implemented by the Department of Sports for the promotion of sports among physically challenged sportspersons:-
(i) Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs):- Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to NSFs including Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for organizing national/international events in India, participation of India in international events, organizing coaching camps, procuring sports equipments etc. Para sports has been put in the ‘Priority’ category so that the athletes get the maximum admissible financial assistance under the scheme.
(ii) Scheme of Pension to Meritorious sportspersons:- Under the scheme, Indian sportspersons of the age of 30 years and above who have won gold, silver and bronze medals in Paralympic Games are eligible for life pension after their retirement from active sports.
(iii) Scheme of Special Awards to medal winners in international sports events:- Winners of medals in Paralympic Games, para-events in Commonwealth Games, Para-Asian Games are eligible for special awards at par with medal winners of Olympic/Asian/Commonwealth Games.
(iv) Recognition by way of conferment of Arjuna Awards:- Arjuna Awards are conferred on sportspersons in recognition of their good performance in international sports events. The scheme provides at least one such award exclusively for physically challenged sportspersons.
(v) Scheme of Sports & Games for Persons with Disabilities:-
The scheme has provisions for giving grants for purchase of consumables and non-consumable sports equipments for schools, training of coaches and holding District, State & National level competitions for the Disabled.
(b) In the last Para Asian Games held in October, 2014 at Incheon, South Korea, 33 medals were won by Indian Para athletes. The details are given below:-
S.No. Games Gold Silver Bronze Total 1. Athletics 2 9 6 17 2. Badminton 1 4 1 6 3. Judo - - 2 2 4. Powerlifting - - 1 1 5. Swimming - 1 6 7 Total 3 14 16 33
(c) & (d) PCI has planned to hold the first Para National Games at Guwahati, Assam during February, 2015. This Ministry has conveyed its no objection to PCI for holding the aforesaid event. This Ministry has also advised Sports Authority of India (SAI) to extend all assistance in terms of technical support to PCI for organizing the event. Further, this Ministry has recommended the case of PCI to the Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to extend financial and other assistance to PCI for smooth conduct of the event.
(e) Cash awards for medal winners in Paralympics, Para-Asian Games and para-events in Commonwealth Games under the Special Awards for medal winners in international events and their coaches are given at par with the medal winners in Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
Provision of reservation of upto 5% in Group C and erstwhile Group D direct recruit vacancies for meritorious sportspersons is equally applicable to physically challenged sportspersons.
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