THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b): National Youth Policy, 2014 was launched by the Government of India on 21st February, 2014. The vision of NYP-2014 is “To empower youth of the country to achieve their full potential, and through them enable India to find its rightful place in the community of Nations”. In order to realize this vision, the NYP-2014 identifies five objectives, including “Developing a strong and healthy generation equipped to take on future challenges”. The Policy also identifies eleven Priority Areas in which Policy Interventions are required for achieving the five Objectives set out in the Policy. The Priority Areas Includes
(i) Health and Healthy Life Style and
(ii) Sports. Thus the National Youth Policy-2014 lays due emphasis on physical and mental health of the youth:
The National Sports Policy, 2001 is already in existence. The salient features of the National Sports Policy 2001, are as under:
(i) Broad basing of sports and achievement of excellence;
(ii) Upgradation and development of infrastructure;
(iii) Support to National Sports Federations and other sports bodies;
(iv) Strengthening of scientific and coaching support to sports;
(v) Special incentives to promote sports;
(vi) Enhanced participation of women, scheduled tribes and rural youth;
(vii) Involvement of corporate sector in sports promotion; and
(viii) Promote sports mindedness among the public at large.
Further, Schemes for promotion and development of sports being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports inter alia aim at overall healthy development of children.
(c) Budgetary allocation of Rs.1541.13 crore for youth affairs & sports for 2015-16 works out to approximately 0.01% of GDP estimated for 2015-16. However it is stated that a number of other Central Ministries and State Governments spend substantial funds on programmes for youth development and empowerment and for promotion of sports.
(d) The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, has been enacted, making elementary education a Fundamental Right, which, inter alia, provides for:
(i) A play ground for each school;
(ii) A part time instructor for physical education in upper primary school;
(iii) Supply of play material, games and sports equipment, as required, to schools.
In terms of the provisions of the RTE Act, no school shall be established or recognized unless it fulfills the norms specified in the Schedule attached to the Act.
Further, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for all schools affiliated to it to provide one compulsory period for sports upto 10th class and two periods in a week for classes 11 and 12.
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