(a) whether the Government had organised National Conference of Youth Affairs and Sports in February, 2005;
(b) if so, the details of the deliberations and the outcome thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to shift `sports` from the `Concurrent List` to `Union List`; and
(d) if so, the response of the State Governments in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDPENDENT CHARGE) STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION, YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS AND OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The major issues discussed in the Conference included transferring `Sports` to the Concurrent List of the Constitution; transfer of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Sports Infrastructure, formulation of State Youth & Sports Policies; implementation issues in respect of new schemes, strengthening the monitoring and delivery mechanism of various programmes of the Ministry etc. The recommendations of the National Conference on the key issues are as follows:
1) The annual budgetary allocation for the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports needs to be substantially enhanced.
2) Need to review the decision to transfer Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Sports Infrastructure was stressed. The committed liabilities of Rs.160 crore should be provided for during the next two to three years.
3) Further consultation was required in the respective States on the issue of bringing the subject of `Sports` in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Individual State Governments shall take a view on the subject and send written communication in this regard.
4) Autonomous premier organizations like Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) should be made more effective, responsible and accountable and their field formations should have closer interaction with State agencies. The financial as well as administrative structure of these organizations may also be strengthened & expanded further.
5) Need for formulation and adoption of State Youth and Sports policies by all the States and Union Territories.
6) Plan of Action for Celebration of 2005 as International Year of Physical Education and Sports be implemented.
7) Need for greater stress on physical education and educational institutions.
8) Revision of the Scheme of State Sports Academy so as to utilize the existing sports infrastructure for broad basing sports
9) Need for providing mass participation in physical fitness by involving Panchayati Raj Institutions, NYKS, etc.
10) Early formulation of Scheme for setting up National and State Youth Centres as envisaged under the X Five Year Plan.
11) The State Ministers Conference should be made an annual feature.
( c ) Yes Sir.
(d) This issue was discussed in the State Ministers` Conference on 16th February, 2005. Accordingly, this Ministry has received response from 11 State Governments out of which 5 States have supported the move.