Youth affairs & sports

YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

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  A Scheme for the development and empowerment of adolescent launched to assist NGOs and educational institutions for taking up programmes & projects focussing the needs of the adolescent (10-19 years).
  
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  A National Committee under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (YA&S) set up for preparation of the draft National Plan of Action under National Youth Policy. Various convergence strategies worked out with other ministries like Culture, Tourism, Women & Child Development, Health & Family Welfare, NACO and others.
  
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  The Report of the National Commission for Youth presented to Parliament. All but two recommendations accepted.
  
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  Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan drawn up a multi-pronged strategy for empowering Youth Clubs and volunteers.
  
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  Rashtriya Sadbhavna Yojna approved to harness the energies of the youth and sensitize them towards the needs of community.
  
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  “Gandhi Gramodaya Sankalp Abhiyan – Model Village Project” launched under Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan on October 2, 2004.
  
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  A comprehensive Management Information System developed right up to the youth club level for the offices of the NYKS to effectively assess progress under various programmes.
  
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  The Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, strengthened with setting up of five Divisions in different disciplines.
  

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  Arrangements for the conduct of the Games finalized by the Group of Ministers with the emphasis on planning for and creation of required infrastructure till 2007.
  
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  A National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) as an autonomous Government Society being set up for undertaking, promoting and supporting all anti-doping activities in the country.
  
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  Categorizing of sports disciplines as a dynamic concept based on their performance in International Games like Olympics/Asian Games/ Commonwealth Games decided. With a focus on Olympics, an Olympic to Olympic long-term development plan being implemented.
  
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  To make the functions of various National Sports Federations (NSFs) more transparent, Observers appointed in the important disciplines to check the proceedings in important deliberations of the Federations, including those related to selection of players for international teams
  
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  Sports Authority of India (SAI) approved the establishment of 10 new Army Boys Sports Company (ABSCs) at Delhi Cantt., Bhopal (MP), Secundrabad (AP), Lucknow(UP), Faizabad (UP), Ramgarh Cantt. (Jharkhand), Meerut(UP), Leh(J&K), Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Ahmednagar (Maharashtra).
  
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  Under the National Talent Search Contest Scheme (NTSC) implemented by SAI, 25 Navodaya Vidyalayas would be adopted during the year 2005-2006.
  
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  Fifty-eight Local Rural Tournaments at district level with an estimated cost of Rs. 1.5 crore sanctioned in North-East.
  
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  Two Special Area Games (SAGs) being set up to tap sports talent in remote rural, tribal and coastal areas.
  
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  More than 200 elite sportspersons being assisted for training as well as foreign exposure and participation in international tournaments under various schemes of the Ministry.
  
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  1354 projects assisted under the Sports infrastructure schemes during 2004-05 with a central assistance of Rs. 38.99 crore.
  
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  A Plan of Action has been approved and is under implementation to observe the Year 2005 as the International Year for Physical Education and Sports as declared by UNESCO.
  

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  As a first ever exercise, Gender Budgeting has been drawn up allocating about 30 per cent of Plan Budget covering various schemes for women beneficiaries for the year 2005-06.
  
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  With a view to provide adequate representation to SC / STs and OBC, a stipulation has been made that while sanctioning funds due representation should be given to them in all schemes and programmes.
  
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  To ensure transparency and access to information, a Sports Portal called “Sportal” (http://sportal.nic.in) launched in November, 2004.
  

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LAW & JUSTICE

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  Common Minimum Programme of the UPA Government envisages enforcement of the law without fear or favour and also pledges enacting of Model Comprehensive Law to deal with communal violence.
  
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  Judicial Reforms and revamping of the legal system given top priority.
  
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  The Government commits to speed up clearance of backlog of cases in High Courts and Lower Courts besides deliberating with Chief Justices of High Courts and Judges of the Supreme Court to smoothen this process.
  
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  Action taken for upgrading infrastructure facilities and for appointment of additional staff in all the courts of the country.
  
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  Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (POTA) abolished and decided to suitably amend the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
  
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  Phukan Commission inquiring into the Tehalka episode dissolved.
  
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  Legal Services Authorities scheme being strengthen to give Free Legal Aid to deserving class.
  
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  National Legal Literacy Mission launched to benefit millions of poor and disadvantaged sections of the society.
  

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STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

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  Modernisation of Statistical System underway.
  
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  Work relating to Economic Census of the country begun.
  
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  Process of updating Social Statistics expedited.
  
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  Social Development Index to be brought out.
  
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  Human Development Index on the cards.
  
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  National Statistical Commission taking shape.
  
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  Hand Book for urban, rural and local self-government.
  
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  System for maintaining data-base of key indicators at Block level.
  
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  Statistical profile of Social Indicators by 2015.
  
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  Report on Millennium Development Goals.
  
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  Monitoring of Central projects streamlined.
  
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  New Guidelines for MPLADS.
  

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  The Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) upgraded to a Ministry in order to sharply focus on development issues of the North-Eastern Region.
  
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  The North Eastern Council (NEC) restructured with Minister, DONER as its Chairman.
  
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  Major initiative to seek international cooperation for development of the North-Eastern Region in 5 core Sectors - road, urban development, trade and investment, water resources and energy.
  
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  Under the scheme of Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), 80 new projects sanctioned to the North-Eastern States at a cost of Rs.601.21 crore.
  
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  In the Central Budget of 2005-06, Rs.9306 crore earmarked for expenditure in the North-Eastern States, an increase of 51.7 per cent over 2004-05.
  
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  Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to be set up in the North-Eastern Region.