Question : Rural Talent

(a) the names of schemes being run by the Government at present to hunt
for the rural talent;
(b) the number of tribal districts which has been benefitted by these
schemes during the last two years;
(c) the details of the funds allocated for these schemes, State-wise/tribal
dominated district-wise;
(d) whether the Government has also received complaints of irregularities
in these schemes;
(e) if so, whether the Government has fixed any accountability in this
regard; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)
(a) Sports is a State subject and, therefore, promotion of Sports is
primarily the responsibility of the State Government. The Central
Government complements/supplements the efforts of the State
Governments. The Ministry through the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is
implementing the Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme to scout and nurture the natural talent for modern competitive sports and games from inaccessible tribal, rural and coastal areas of the country and Extension Centre of SAI Training Center (STC)/SAG Scheme to cover schools and colleges for wider coverage. Briefs on the aforesaid Schemes are given in Annexure – I.
(b) & (c) Since the above Schemes benefit the entire country, tribal districts-wise details of beneficiaries is not maintained by this Ministry. However, Region/State/Centre-wise, sports discipline-wise and gender-wise details of present strength of 19 SAG Centres and 73 STC/SAG Extension Centres in the country is given in Annexure – II. State-wise/tribal dominated district-wise allocation of funds are also not made in respect of the above Schemes.
(d) to (f) Some complaints have been received regarding upkeep of hostels and sports infrastructural facilities under the abovementioned Schemes. The responsibility to maintain the sports infrastructure in SAI Training Centres (STC) lies with the concerned State Government, which they have not been able to do due to fund constraints. However, while implementing the Scheme, SAI had made a provision of Annual Maintenance Grant for each of its training centres, which has recently been enhanced for the regular upkeep of sports infrastructure in the Centre. Based on the complaints received, proposals for the Centres which required major repairs/renovation were examined on case to case basis for civil and electrical repairs and considered accordingly.
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