Year End Review 2010

 

 

              The year 2010 witnessed spectrum of initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for enhancing transparency of affairs and accountability of National Sports Federations ( NSFs) .  These measures will improve planning of operations and transparency in the NSFs, which have been bestowed with the high responsibility of improvement of Indian sports.  The massive support of the Government in the focused training of core probables has also yielded excellent results in Commonwealth Games 2010 held in Delhi and Asian Games at Guangzhou.   For the first time in the Commonwealth Games, India won over 100 medals in total  ( 38 Gold, 27 Silver and 36 Bronze medals), and, for the first time, reached the second position in the medals tally . Indian sports persons also put up their best ever show at Asian Games with, 64 medals comprising of  14 Gold, 17 Silver and 33 Bronze medals), which is India's second best showing ever since inception of Asian Games in 1951.

 

The  important initiatives taken by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports are as follows:

 

Measures to increase transparency of affairs and accountability of National Sports Federations (NSFs)

 

·        Recognition of National Sports Federations (NSFs) and Restriction of age and tenure of office bearers of NSFs

The tenure guidelines which were kept in abeyance since 2001 have been restored with some modifications.  Under the revised guidelines, the President of an NSF is entitled to a maximum tenure of 12 years with or without break; and the Secretary General and Treasurer can have a maximum of two consecutive term of 4-year each across the posts or a single post.  After two consecutive terms, a 4-year cooling-off period is compulsory.  The guidelines also prescribe an age limit of 70 years on an office bearers.

 

NSFs have also been asked to comply with guidelines relating to age &tenure (by incorporating it in their constitution and election bye-laws, in order to be eligible to receive assistance under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations and other Scheme of the Ministry, and other concessions and benefits.

Many NSFs, including Tennis, Hockey, Weightlifting, Chess, Kayaking& Canoeing and  Boxing federations have confirmed/conveyed their intention to comply.

 

·                     Recognition of NSFs- Reforms

Though NSFs are required to submit annual account statements to the Government, many of them have defaulted regularly. Concerted action has now been undertaken by the Ministry to collect and maintain the data/documents with regard to legal, financial, management and operational status of NSFs. For the first time, a mandatory annual recognition procedure for the NSFs has been introduced, with effect from January 2010.  Only those NSFs, who will submit the requisite documents, including financial statements, prescribed by the Ministry, will be granted fresh recognition certificate in 2010.  As a result, most of the NSFs have submitted the latest documents, some after a gap of many years.  Subsequent annual renewal will be subject to submission of the annual report & audited accounts and other details.  NSFs have also been informed that non-submission of the documents would make NSFs liable for processing for de-recognition. So far, around 42 NSFs have been granted fresh annual recognition in 2010.

·        Indian Olympic Association , Sports Federations covered under Right to Information Act

 

With the Delhi High Court, on 7^th of January, 2010 , declaring IOA and the Organizing Committee for CWG 2010 as “public authority” covered under RTI Act , the Ministry has directed them to immediately comply with the procedural requirements of the RTI Act.  Later, National Sports Federations receiving grants Rs. 10 lakh and above have also been declared as public authorities under RTI Act and have been asked to comply with the provisions of the Act. 

 

·        Holding of Free, Fair and Transparent elections by the NSFs

 

All efforts are being made by the Ministry to ensure that the conduct of elections within NSFs is held in a fair, democratic and transparent manner, which is acceptable to the people of India. Basic core principles include a well defined election schedule; appointment of an independent Returning Officer; notification of valid voters list (Electoral College) and list of contestants; and holding of elections by way of secret ballot.

All the NSFs henceforth will be required to hold the elections as per model election bye-law.

·        Calendar of activities for sporting events

NSFs have also been asked to draw the calendar of their activities for the next year so as to enable players/States units, Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and School Games Federation of India to plan their participation and sporting activities.

                         

Scheme of preparation of Indian Teams for CWG 2010(New Delhi)  and Asian Games 2010(Guangzhou)

 

Under the 'Scheme for Preparation of Indian Teams for Commonwealth Games, 2010', comprehensive and intensive training and exposure both in India and abroad was provided to elite sportspersons (medal probables) with full scientific and medical back up facilities. The training of the top athletes was vigorously undertaken by Sports Authority of India. Top-level foreign and Indian coaches and support personnel are worked round the clock with the core probables. 1140 players of 18 sports disciplines were trained by 170 Indian coaches and 30 Foreign Coaches. 3760 players (repeat visits included) sent abroad for competition and training. Rs. 450 / 550 per day, per athlete, diet and food supplements was provided, doubling past provisions.

It may be recalled that the Cabinet had, on 12.06.2008, approved for the first time ever in India a scheme with an outlay of Rs. 678 crore, for a period of 2 ½  years (as against around Rs. 40 crores per year earlier), specifically designed to prepare Indian sportspersons for maximizing the medals tally in a major international multidisciplinary event i.e. the CWG, 2010.

 

Award money for winners of medals in Commonwealth Games 2010 and Asian Games 2010, doubled         

Award money for winners of medals in Commonwealth Games 2010 and Asian Games 2010 was doubled, as per details given below:

 

 

 Award money amounting to Rs. 30 crore will be disbursed to winners of medals in international sports events during 2010-11.

Reforms in Special Cash Awards to victorious sportsmen, to avoid delays  

The Scheme of Special Cash Awards has been revised to ensure timely release of cash awards to all whom it is due. Cash Awards worth Rs. 30 crore will be disbursed to medal winners in international sports events including Commonwealth Games 2010 and Asian Games 2010 during 2010-11.

 

Community sports facilities as part of Legacy Plan under Commonwealth Games, 2010, established

Many existing sports facilities have been taken away temporarily from the people of Delhi, for preparation for CWG 2010. Therefore, to benefit the students and the community, a new initiative has been taken up to establish community sports facilities in government schools, colleges and a few residential areas. An amount of Rs. 15 crore has been sanctioned for around 30 sports facilities viz., laying of synthetic surface for Tennis, Basketball courts, Hockey fields, construction of Swimming pools and procurement of fitness equipment etc. This initiative is expected to boost the development of sports, games and physical fitness programmes in those areas.

Also, since Government of India has spent about Rs.3000 crore in creating world-class sports stadiums, a Legacy Plan is under preparation to prevent them from falling into disuse. The objective is to have an Activity Plan to make the stadiums financially self-sustaining.

Reforms carried out to facilitate availability of imported equipment

The Ministry has been making efforts to provide the best equipment to athletes. Based on recommendations of the Ministry, the Finance Ministry has extended customs duty exemption on import of sports goods and other requirements for training purposes such as synthetic playing surfaces, fitness equipment, sports medicine equipment, sports apparel and dope-testing equipment. National Sports Federations have also now been allowed to import goods, on behalf of their affiliated state/district bodies, both for competition and training purposes.

            Liberalization and Rationalization of procedures for import of equipment for   Shooters

The existing procedure for import of arms and ammunition by renowned shooters was very time consuming, causing delays, which often led to escalation of cost of import, as well as shortages of weapons/ammunition and thereby, adversely affected the training and practice regime of Renowned Shooters. Furthermore, the guidelines for resale of weapons imported by renowned shooters were unduly restrictive and hampered the development of sport of Shooting.

The present practice of routing import license applications through the Ministry has been dispensed. The practice of the Ministry issuing `Custom Duty Exemption Certificate' has also been dispensed with, and a suitable provision has been made for automatic grant of custom-duty exemption on imported equipment and ammunition on the basis of self-certification by the renowned shooter, along with the documentary evidence.

Renowned Shooters have been allowed higher quota for import of ammunition with custom duty exemption, for facilitating practice. Renowned Shooters have been further facilitated to import of latest weapons, free of customs duty, up to a maximum holding of 5 such weapons. Renowned Shooter have been allowed to sell such weapons once he/she meets the minimum duration of use condition i.e. 5 years in the case of Renowned Shooter, and 3 years in the case of a Shooter who qualifies as a Renowned Shooter, for three consecutive years. The Renowned Shooter can sell the weapons to any shooter, who is a valid license holder, and registered with District/State/National Rifle Association.

 

Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)

 

During the current year (2010-11) budget Rs 413 crore were provided for  Scheme ‘Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)’ , which was introduced by the Government in 2008, to promote mass participation in sports by providing basic sports facilities at the grassroots level throughout the country.  As a part of  Basic Sports infrastructure Development, a total of 31,368 village panchayats and 1,004  block panchayats in 28 States and 3 UTs have, so far, been covered under the scheme. 

Under the programme called "International Inspiration (I.I.)" , launched by U.K sport as part of the social legacy plan for London-2012 Olympics,the Ministry has entered into a MoU with the Youth Sport Trust ( YST ) on 30th June, 2010 with a view to extend the latter's role in new areas of technical collaboration. The objective of the MoU is to support each other’s efforts in strengthening community sport structures and delivery mechanism, especially in the back drop of the PYKKA programme and its framework. YST will share their best practices and provide useful inputs towards the effective implementation of PYKKA scheme including its Resource Centre at LNUPE, Gwalior (M.P).  The Ministry will hold a conference with association of Youth Sports Trust (YST) of U.K. during February, 2011 in New Delhi on promoting school and community sports.

 Convergence of PYKKA with other schemes

PYKKA scheme encourages convergence with different Central and State schemes for meeting its objective. This will help dovetailing of different Central schemes for better utilization of funds, as well as improving outcomes. Some States have already been utilizing the additional resources of MGNREGS and MLALAD for levelling village playfields and construction of walls/fencing around the playfields. Existing sports infrastructure in schools is also being strengthened under PYKKA scheme as part of linking community sports. Strong linkages are being created with school sports by promoting inter-school competitions sports and women competitions.

 

Revival of Sports Infrastructure Scheme

Ministry has taken action to introduce a new centrally-sponsored scheme for sports infrastructure in urban areas, and an amount of Rs. 150 crore has been provided for it in the 2010-2011 budget.  The objective of the new scheme is to create sports facilities in urban areas and installing of synthetic surfaces to familiarize the players with them right from the beginning of their sporting career, so as to equip them to appropriate skills and training necessary for participation in international competitions. Under the new scheme, grants will be provided to State Governments/UTs, local statutory bodies and universities in urban areas.

                       

Measures to combat fraud in age of players in junior levels

After taking note of incidents of cheating in disclosure of age by some athletes in junior age-group events, and to ensure fair play, specific guidelines have been issued to NSFs to take appropriate measures to check age fraud. This has been done on the same lines as anti-doping measures, as both amounts to cheating, which violate the basic spirit of sports.

 NSFs have been directed to issue identity cards to National Athletes following due procedures, including appeal procedures. Production of athlete identity card for participation in national and state competitions and in selection trials for international competitions has been made mandatory with effect from 01.04.2010.State Governments have been also advised to adopt the same procedures in respect of State Government Sports bodies.Sports Authority of India has already undertaken this exercise for its own trainees. . So far, age certificates have been issued to over 6200 SAI trainees.

This is expected to considerably resolve the controversial issue of age-fraud in sports, and promote fairness.

 

              MAKA Trophy Award criteria, rationalized

Recognizing the need for reforming the existing procedures, Ministry constituted two-level Committees to make the selection procedures more efficient, for the award. The Committee, chaired by the Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities (AIU), comprising of eminent sportspersons, imparted an expert modern viewpoint. The regulations have accordingly been recast, to make it fair and free from abuse. It is expected that the MAKA Awards will now be free of controversy. 

The revision of regulations for selection procedure has brought about more transparency and accountability in the selection for award of ‘Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy’ 09. It also promotes a dope-free sporting culture in Inter-University sports. 

             Strengthening of Sports Authority of India

·        Engagement of coaches in SAI

Realizing that there was an immediate and urgent need to mitigate the crippling shortage of coaches in SAI , the Ministry assessed the requirement and approved engagement of 100 coaches on contract basis.   About 70 coaches have been engaged following a transparent and competitive selection process and are now placed at various SAI Centres across the country with special emphasis on North-East region.  Simultaneously, effort is also underway to clear hurdles for making regular appointment of coaches.

·        Increase in modern sports facilities

Commonwealth Games 2010 provided a great opportunity and requirement for expanding activities and infrastructure of Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Ministry has taken several initiatives in these lines for transformation of sports in India. As part of the exercise of prioritization of the infrastructure projects, new synthetic hockey turfs at Jalandhar (Rs. 3.35 crore), Shilaroo (Rs. 3.53 core), Sundergarh (Rs. 2.90 crore) and Kolkata (Rs. 2.50 crore) were sanctioned. Similarly, Synthetic Athletic tracks were sanctioned at Patiala, Sonepat (Rs. 59 lakhs), Gandhinagar (Rs. 3.50 crore) and Tarn Taran (Rs. 4.93 crore). Multi-purpose Hall at Guwahati (Rs. 4.01 crore) will be ready soon. A SAI sub-centre at Hazaribagh will be opened.

Infrastructure of SAI was augmented substantially, in preparation for the CWG 2010 and Asian Games 2010. The budgetary allocation of SAI has been enhanced from Rs. 1.60 crores in 2009-10 to Rs. 321 crores for 2010-11. Rs. 85 crores have been pumped in to upgrade SAI Hostels. Large Sports Hostels have been created at SAI Centres at Bhopal, Patiala, and Bangalore.

National Dope Testing Laboratory

The year of 2009 and 2010 marked a time of various improvements in NDTL in the terms of better facilities, recruitment of new staff and their training, new test methods, increase in sample testing from India and other countries, international cooperation, research activities.

With all the resources in place, NDTL could set up six new test methods in urine and blood (Erythropoietin, CERA, Human growth hormone, blood parameters and Blood transfusion and Hemoglobin based oxygen carriers) in the year 2010. It obtained ISO certification, and was used for testing of samples for Singapore Youth Games held in Singapore in Aug, 2010.

With the inclusion of new test methods, India is one of the first ten WADA-accredited labs which is doing complete test protocol as desired by WADA.

The number of samples tested has increased from 1805 (2008), 2009(2432) to 2010(6850). The target of testing 5000 samples given for the year 2010 has crossed to 6855 (2560 national and 4295 international samples) till now and will exceed 7200 by the year end. Apart from routine sample testing, NDTL participates in various proficiency testing rounds which further ensures its credibility in the testing of dope samples. 

        The international testing is with regard to :

·           Singapore Youth  games,  Aug 14-24, 2010 (1162 urine & 125 blood samples)

·           Commonwealth games Oct 3-14, 2010 (1475 urine & 186 blood samples).

·           Testing of approx 1200 samples from other countries (Malaysia, Srilanka, Bhutan, Nepal,    Laos, ITDM, Sweden, Singapore, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia) has been done in 2010.

·           2^nd Asian Beach games at Oman in December, 2010  for 250 samples.

·           A contract will soon be signed for 7^th Winter Asian Games to be held in Kazakistan for testing of 200 samples in Jan-Feb 2011.

 

NDTL has earned revenue of approx Rs. 2.4 crore from international testing and  has also entered into bilateral cooperation with two premier labs in the world which are Drug Control Centre, Kings College, London and Anti doping lab, Rome, Italy. It is proposed to enter in bilateral cooperation with Cologne, Germany during the year 2011.

The Lab has expanded during the year 2010 with regard to its work on various research projects. It has presented five research papers in Cologne workshop in 2010 and proposes to send more than eight in 2011. At present, NDTL has five researchers doing their Ph.D, out of which one is awarded in Dec 2010.

Apart from maintaining the higher level achieved during the year 2010, in terms of number of samples, new test methods and expanding on the research activities, it is proposed to set up Horse doping testing facility and Supplement testing for Government- approved agencies.

 

 

 

 

                                             YOUTH AFFAIRS                                               .                                         

 

National Youth Corps Scheme launched

 

Under the scheme of ‘National Youth Corps’ (NYC) budgetary provision of Rs. 56.50 crore has been made during the current financial year of which Rs. 25 crore has been released to NYKS and Rs. 12.75 crore released to State Government of J&K.

The scheme being implemented through the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan will enroll 20,000 volunteers, with 2 volunteers per Block deployed across the country for a period of two years up to March, 2012. Till date 7,098 volunteers have been selected, trained and deployed in different districts in Jammu &Kashmir and 10,508 volunteers in the rest of the country.

 

Introduction of National Programme for Youth & Adolescent Development

 

            During its first two years (2008-09 and 2009-2010) of implementation of Scheme National Programme for Youth & Adolescent Development, Rs. 54.43 crore was sanctioned to fourteen All India Organizations and other Field Level NGOs in 14 States under the scheme.  In the financial year 2010-11, out of the allocation of Rs.25 crore under the NPYAD Scheme,   Rs.19.22 crore has been sanctioned till date to various All India Level Organisations, recognized Adventure institutes and state level NGOs.

            Re-organisation of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)

 

In a major restructuring of the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), it has now been decided that instead of 18 Zonal Offices, all the 28 States, will have the State level offices, to be headed by Zonal Director.  This will provide the much needed coordination with the State Governments, for strengthening youth works, by NYKS as well as promotion avenues to the staff. 

      Convergence programmes by NYKS

 

A paradigm shift in the utilization of the vast network of NYKS and its field units has commenced. In addition to its own youth programmes, which are somewhat bounded in content and in financial resources, NYKS will now undertake programmes which converge with various other government departments, for implementation of the latter’s programmes . This will not only assist the other departments to utilize the vast reach of the NYKS to the corners of India, but will provide financial resources and the opportunity to the youth covered by NYKS to undertake its youth development activities more effectively. Some convergence programmes, which have already commenced are:

 

Ministry of Rural Development

•         Capacity Building and Awareness of Workers under MGNREGA – in 200 districts across 10 States.

•         Training of Youth leaders & formation of supervisory committees at village level - Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – 20 districts in 10 States.

 

Ministry of Home Affairs

•         Skill upgradation and capacity building of youth of North-Eastern States.

•         Tribal Youth Exchange Programme for NE States

•         Cultural Youth Exchange Programme for Youth of J&K State.

Ministry of Environment & Forests

•         Capacity building of Youth leaders for social creative action for river cleaning and beautification under National River Conservation Plan.

Department of Sports

•         NYKS conducting Sports tournaments at village, block & district level under Panchyat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)

National Human Rights Commission

•         Training of Youth for creating awareness of Human Rights

Election Commission

•         Voters’ Awareness Campaign on Right to Vote in Jharkhand & Maharashtra (2009),  & Bihar (2010) Assembly Elections

International Agency – United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

•         Empowerment of youth under the Adolescent Health and Development Project

Youth Hostels

Youth Hostels are built to promote youth travel within the country, by providing good, yet inexpensive lodging facilities. There are presently 80 such Hostels in India.

·        Rationalization of use of Hostels

On a review exercise, Minister observed that about a dozen Hostels are non-functional, due to poor location, and with no viable chance of operations. Action was promptly initiated for their better use. So far, 11 Hostels have been transferred to NYKS, SAI and State Governments , after examination of the identified Hostels.

·        Construction and refurbishment of Hostels

In the Financial Year 2009-10, twenty Youth Hostels have been given a face-lift, with modern amenities, by providing Rs. 5 lakh to each hostel. These include Youth Hostels situated on the route of the Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games 2010, for receiving  young visitors during the Relay.  During the current financial year also, another 20 Youth Hostels have been provided with funds to the tune of Rs.5 lakh each, for extensive renovation.

      The long-term objective is to undertake a stage-wise process of refurbishing  all Youth Hostels to bring them to a state of worthwhile use.

·              Reforms in management of Hostels

·        Amount for furnishing new Hostels has been enhanced  from Rs.1.6 lakh to Rs.5 lakh  for each hostel .

·        Working capital of Rs.2 lakh, for each new hostels introduced.

·        Remuneration of Hostel Managers has been enhanced from Rs.5,000/- p.m to Rs.12,000 p.m., with performance-based  incentives .

·        It has now been decided to appoint fit and qualified ex-servicemen, as Managers of each Youth Hostel from among the local populace, and new appointments have already commenced. The earlier practice of allowing Managers to stay in the Hostel premises has been discontinued, as it was often found to be leading to unauthorised occupation of space by the Managers.

·        Receptionists to be appointed for each hostel, with a remuneration of Rs.6,000 p.m., with performance-based  incentives.

·        Youth Hostels can also be used for  running youth development programmes by NYKS and NSS.

·        All Youth Hostels will be linked though a computer network, to enable online and user-friendly reservation of accommodation.

·        The design and nomenclature of the recently built and under construction Youth Hostels modified to optimise their space utilisation and bed capacity.

Harnessing Youth Power in National Development – Capacity Building and Empowerment of Youth Clubs

The core strength of NYKS lies in its network of village based youth clubs. To capture complete database of youth clubs a detailed exercise for validation and Survey of all Youth Clubs conducted through 501 NYKs. A gigantic exercise involving 12,000 Volunteers in 2.5 lakh villages for 7 months. One lakh twenty five thousand active youth clubs  have been identified  with an  outreach to apprx. 27 lakh male and 10 lakh female members (37.4 lakh members).  The entire data base on every Youth Club and its functionaries is available is online.

Special Programme for girls, in border districts,

The short term Vocational Training Programme for rural youth, which were highly beneficial for rural youth, was discontinued from programmes of NYKS, earlier. There were no exclusive schemes for girls, under NYKS. Recognising the constructive potential of the programme for rural youth, especially the girls, vocational training programmes have been re-introduced. NYKS has been permitted to utilize their own programme budget of Rs. 1.0 crore for the purpose. During this year 2010-11, the programme has been  implemented in 200 districts, selected from border areas, tribal & hilly districts, in the country. Every district has 11 training centres and each training programme is attended by 30 girls. This will enable self employment opportunities for girls.

            Sports Promotion Programme in Rural Areas

 

NYKS opens Youth Clubs in villages as an effective forum for carrying out youth development. A clear decision has been taken by the Minister to promote them also as Sports Clubs. This will lead to promotion of sports enthusiasm, fitness, leadership qualities and character development among youth, and for dissemination of social messages. NYKS will provide financial assistance to 200 sports clubs annually in each district, for purchase of sports material, and conducting village games. For the current financial year 2010-11, a budget provision of Rs. 10 Crore has been made to provide financial assistance to 50058 youth clubs.

In addition, to popularize rural sports which require minimum infrastructure, equipments and finances  and to make sports as a way of life, Block/ District level tournaments are organized in at least five  Olympic/ Indigenous/ locally popular sports and games. There is budget provision of Rs. 3.90 crore to conduct 2601 Block level tournaments and Rs. 2.00 crore to conduct 501 district level tournaments. .

These programmes are in addition to the PYKKA scheme being implemented for encouraging sports in rural areas.

             Rajiv Gandhi Adventure Scheme started for NSS volunteers

Under his initiative, the Rajiv Gandhi Adventure Scheme, a new adventure programme, was conceived and launched for students of both genders, utilising the resources of experienced national Mountaineering Institutes affiliated with the Ministry. The objective of the Scheme is to promote leadership qualities, fraternity, team spirit and risk-taking capacity amongst the youth.

The Scheme was launched on 26^th of June, 2009 and will be conducted all over the country from the Himalayan region in the north, to mountain Ranges of south India. 2000 NSS Volunteers, with at least 50% girl volunteers, will participate.

 

The scheme is being expanded and made more varied and exciting. A desert trekking camp involving treks and camel rides in the rolling sand dunes of mystical and colourful Rajathan, has also been launched in February 2010. Trekking in among the unique flora and fauna of the Sahyadri Ranges in western and southern India , high-altitude snow trekking in Himalayas and Special Adventure programmes in North Eastern States, will all be unique by their very  nature.  The Scheme envisages giving exposure to youth of different parts of the country to the flavour, ambience, culture and history of another part , to which the participants could otherwise have no exposure. The goal is to make the youth aware of the rich diversity of India.      During 2009-10, 2000 NSS volunteers participated in 100 Adventure Camps.

 

·        Mega Summer Camp for NSS volunteers

 

The new initiative of conducting Mega Summer Camps and Adventure Camps by National Service Scheme (NSS), to improve overall personality development of youth, has augmented the image of the Scheme among students. There will be two Mega camps in each year, involving 400 students, during summer and winter holidays of colleges in the country. So far, 3 Mega Camps have been held at Sriperambadur and New Delhi, benefitting 1200 NSS volunteers and 120 Programme Officers.

 

·        Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Awards-Increase in number of Awards and Award money

 

Indira Gandhi NSS Awards are given for best NSS volunteers, best Programme Officer/College and best NSS Coordinator/University for NSS activities. The annual prize money for Indira Gandhi NSS Award has been almost doubled for all categories.  The University/ +2 Council level award, now carries a cash prize of Rs. 2,00,000/;  Rs. 70,000/- each for  six NSS units; Rs. 20,000/- each for six Programme Officers and Rs. 15,000/- each  for Sixteen volunteers.   It has also been decided to increase the number of awards.  The number of awards for the year 2010-11 will be presented to 10 NSS Units/Programme Officers( instead of six) and 30 NSS Volunteers( instead of the present number of 16).  The procedure for calling nominations has been streamlined and a timeframe fixed to pre-empt delays in selection.

 

 

RM/