(a) whether the Government has received any request from some schools of Tamil Nadu to hold ‘Children’s Parliament’ ;
(b) if so, the details thereof, and reaction of the Government thereto ;
(c) the propaganda/publicity efforts proposed to be made to popularise such ‘Children Parliament’ among the school and student community; and
(d) the funds earmarked for the purpose during the current year?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a )& (b) No such request has recently been received from
schools of Tamil Nadu for holding ‘Children’s
Parliament’;
(c) & (d) With a view to inculcate democratic values and
disseminate knowledge on the working of parliamentary
institutions among the student community, four schemes of
‘Youth Parliament Competitions’ are being implemented. These
are namely, ‘Youth Parliament Competition Scheme for
recognized Educational Institutions in the National Capital
Territory of Delhi’ ; ‘National Youth Parliament Competition
Scheme for Kendriya Vidyalayas’; ‘National Youth Parliament
Competition Scheme for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas’ and
‘National Youth Parliament Competition Scheme for
Universities/Colleges’. In addition to the above four schemes,
financial assistance up to a maximum of Rs. 2 lacs per annum
is being extended to the States/Union Territories for
conducting similar ‘Youth Parliament Competitions’ in their
educational institutions. No specific quantum of funds have
been earmarked for organising the ‘Youth Parliament
Competitions’. However, expenditure in this regard, is being
met from an allocation of Rs. 35 lacs for ‘other charges’
provided in the current year’s budget of the Ministry. Apart
from the above no specific propaganda/publicity efforts to
popularise Youth Parliaments in the schools are envisaged