2.Polity 33T Flashcards
- LOCAL GOVERNANCE
7. 1. MUNICIPAL BONDS
Why in News?
• Recently, 94 cities across 14 states received
credit ratings from agencies such as Crisil as
part of their preparations for issuing
municipal bonds.
• It rated the cities covered under Smart city
Mission and AMRUT mission.
• 55 of these cities got “investment grade”
ratings, 39 received credit ratings below the
investment grade (BBB-).
Background
• The committee on urban infrastructure
headed by Isher Judge Ahluwalia (2011) had
estimated that Indian cities would need to
invest around Rs 40 trillion at constant prices
in the two decades to 2031.
• Municipal bond regulations were released
by the SEBI in 2016.
o Municipal bonds in India shall enjoy taxfree status if they conform to certain
rules and their interest rates will be
market-linked.
o Municipal Corporation needs to have
investment grade credit rating and must
contribute at least 20 per cent of the
project cost.
o The corporation must not have defaulted
on any loans in the last one year.
o The corporation is required to maintain
full asset cover to repay the principal
amount. Revenues from the project for
which bonds were raised are to be kept
in a separate escrow account and banks
or financial institutions would monitor
the account regularly.
• In 2017, NITI Aayog in its Three-year Action
Agenda document also talks of utilizing
Municipal Bond market.
Related Information-
• No separate list of taxes is provided in the
constitution for the urban local bodies. The
imposition of taxes or change in their rates
etc. requires the approval of state
government.
• Article 243W and 243X of the constitution of
India impose a duty upon the state legislature
to endow the municipalities with such
powers and functions in the form of taxation,
fee etc. to enable them to perform their
functions
• The constitution of India, under Article 276
makes provision to facilitate the levy of this
tax by the local bodies viz. professional tax is
a levy on the incomes earned while entering in
a profession or trade or business etc.
7. LOCAL GOVERNANCE
7.1. MUNICIPAL BONDS
Why in News?
• Recently, 94 cities across 14 states received
credit ratings from agencies such as Crisil as
part of their preparations for issuing
municipal bonds.
• It rated the cities covered under Smart city
Mission and AMRUT mission.
• 55 of these cities got “investment grade”
ratings, 39 received credit ratings below the
investment grade (BBB-).
Background
• The committee on urban infrastructure
headed by Isher Judge Ahluwalia (2011) had
estimated that Indian cities would need to
invest around Rs 40 trillion at constant prices
in the two decades to 2031.
• Municipal bond regulations were released
by the SEBI in 2016.
o Municipal bonds in India shall enjoy taxfree status if they conform to certain
rules and their interest rates will be
market-linked.
o Municipal Corporation needs to have
investment grade credit rating and must
contribute at least 20 per cent of the
project cost.
o The corporation must not have defaulted
on any loans in the last one year.
o The corporation is required to maintain
full asset cover to repay the principal
amount. Revenues from the project for
which bonds were raised are to be kept
in a separate escrow account and banks
or financial institutions would monitor
the account regularly.
• In 2017, NITI Aayog in its Three-year Action
Agenda document also talks of utilizing
Municipal Bond market.
Significance
• Low cost of borrowing will be an advantage
for the ULBs, whose projects typically have
low viability, long gestation period and low to
moderate cost recovery. Higher the rating of
corporation, lower is the interest and cost of
borrowing.
• Municipal Bonds are necessary for the
financial independence of the Urban Local
Bodies.
7.2. TRAINING ELECTED
WOMEN REPRESENTATIVES OF
PRIS
Why in News?
The Ministry of Women & Child Development
(MoWCD) has recently launched an intensive
training program for Elected Women
representatives (EWRs) of Panchayati Raj
Institutions.
More about the news
• The program aimed at capacity building of
EWRs is being organized by National Institute
of Public Cooperation and Child Development
(NIPCCD) of the MoWCD.
• It is the first ever initiative which will train
approximately twenty thousand EWRs
covering nearly 50 EWRs from each district
(by March, 2018) who will go out and
administer the villages professionally.
About the Programme
• It will include simple engineering skills to give them
an insight into women’s issues as well as focus on
education and financial matters.
• Awards will be given to the Master Trainers to
those who have succeeded in empowering EWRs
of their areas.
• It will help in creating model villages, ensure
their effective participation in governance
process and help preparing women as
political leaders of the future.
Steps taken for political participation of women
• 73rd (Article 243D) and 74th (Article 243T)
constitutional amendment acts mandating at
least one third of seats for women in PRIs.
• 108th (Women Reservation Bill which seeks to
reserve one-third of all seats for women in
the Lok Sabha and the state legislative
assemblies.), 110th and 112th (mandating 50 %
seats for women in PRIs and Urban local
bodies) constitutional amendment bills were
proposed, although they have lapsed.
• Bihar, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab
and Himachal Pradesh have already reserved
50% seats and Sikkim reserved 40% seats for
women in local governance.
- CONSTITUTIONAL, REGULATORY & OTHER
BODIES
8.1. NITI AAYOG
Why in News?
• NITI Aayog recently prepared a draft three
year action agenda which is a part of the
overall National Development Agenda.
Background
• Planning Commission was abolished in 2014
and thereby the relevance of five year plans
ended.
• Thereafter the Prime Minister Office advised
NITI Aayog to prepare a National
Development Agenda comprising of Fifteen
Year Vision, Seven Year Strategy and Three
Year Action Agenda.
Initiatives by NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog has initiated numerous ways for the
development. Its major initiatives include-
• Promoting Competitive Cooperative
Federalism- Two key aspects are
o Joint development of national
development agenda by centre and
states
o Advocacy of state perspectives with
central ministries.
• Developing Farmer Friendly Reforms index
• Indices measuring States’ Performance
• Performance on Health Outcomes Index
• School education Quality Index
• Water Management Index, etc.
About NGO DARPAN
• The NGO-DARPAN is a platform offered by
NITI Aayog and it was developed in
association with National Informatics Centre
under the aegis of Ministry of Electronics &
Information Technology (MeitY), Government
of India.
• It aims to bring about greater partnership
between government & voluntary sector and
foster better transparency, efficiency and
accountability.
• The Portal facilitates VOs/NGOs to obtain a
system generated Unique ID which is
mandatory to apply for grants under various
schemes of
Ministries/Departments/Governments
Bodies
8.2. LOKPAL
Why in news?
• Recently, the Supreme Court made it clear
that the existing Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act,
2013 is workable in its present form.
Issues with lokpal
• Dilution of provisions through amendment – The
bill passed in 2016 has done away with statutory
requirement of public disclosure the assets of
public servants’ spouses and dependent children.
• Non-convergence with PCA – The vesting of
power of prior sanction with Lokpal has been
almost nullified with amendments in prevention
of corruption act.
• Free hand to states – The determination of nature
and type of lokayuktas has been completely left
on the state’s discretion which leads to various
problems.
• Ambit of Lokpal – judiciary is totally excluded.
Some important features of the Lokpal and
Lokayuktas Act
• Constitution of Lokpal at the Centre and
Lokayukta in states - States to set up
lokayukta within a period of 365 days from
the date of commencement of the Act.
• Composition - Lokpal will consist of a
chairperson and a maximum of eight
members, of which 50 per cent shall be
judicial members and 50 per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from SC/ST/OBCs,
minorities and women.
• Selection committee - The selection of
chairperson and members of Lokpal shall be
through a selection committee consisting of
Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader
of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Chief Justice
of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge
nominated by CJI, eminent jurist to be
nominated by the President of India on the
basis of recommendations of the first four
members of the selection committee.
• Jurisdiction of lokpal - Prime Minister has
been brought under the purview of the
Lokpal. All entities receiving donations from
foreign source in the context of FCRA in
excess of Rs 10 lakh per year are brought
under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.
• Power with respect to CBI - Lokpal will have
power of superintendence and direction over
any investigation agency including CBI for
cases referred to them by Lokpal. Transfer of
officers of CBI investigating cases referred by
Lokpal with the approval of Lokpal.
• Attachment of property - The act also
incorporates provisions for attachment and
confiscation of property acquired by corrupt
means, even while prosecution is pending.
The act lays down clear time lines for
preliminary enquiry, investigation and trial.
8.3. FINANCE COMMISSION
Why in News?
• The Union cabinet recently approved the
setting up of the 15th Finance Commission
(FC) with N.K. Singh as its Chairman.
• It has been asked to submit its report by 30
October 2019.
About the Finance Commission
• Article 280 of the Constitution provides for a
FC as a quasi-judicial body.
• It is constituted by the President every 5th
year or at such earlier time as he considers
necessary.
• The FC makes recommendations to the
President on following matterso The distribution of the net proceeds of
taxes between the centre and the states,
and the allocation between the states of
the respective shares of such proceeds.
o The principle that should govern the
grants-in-aid to the states by the centre
(out of the Consolidated Fund of India).
o The measures to augment the
Consolidated Fund of a state to
supplement the resources of local
governments on the basis of
recommendations made by the state
finance commission.
o Any other matter referred to it by the
President.
• Recommendations made by the FC are only
advisory in nature.
• The Constitution empowers the FC to go
beyond the core issues of how to divide taxes
vertically between centre and the states on
the one hand and horizontally between
states on the other.
• It also allows FC to make broader
recommendations in the interests of sound
finance.
Composition & QualificationsIt is composed of a Chairman and four other members
to be appointed by the President.
The constitution authorizes the Parliament to
determine the qualifications of the commission and
the manner in which they should be selected.
Accordingly-
• Chairman should be an experienced person with
experience in public affairs.
• Four other members can be selected from
amongst the followingo A judge of the High Court or one qualified to
be one.
o A person with special knowledge of finance
and accounts of the government.
o A person having wide experience in financial
and administrative matters
o A person who has special knowledge of
economics
8.4. CVC
Why in news?
• RBI has given approval to CVC to probe
allegations of corruption against private
sector banks and their employees.
• Supreme Court had earlier ruled that the
chairman, managing directors and other
officers of a private bank could be seen as
public servants when it came to the
Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988.
• Supreme Court had also said that as per
Section 46A of the Banking Regulation Act
such bank officials were considered public
officials.
Functions and powers of the CVC Under the
Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003
• Exercise superintendence over the
functioning of the Delhi Special Police
Establishment (CBI) insofar as it relates to the
investigation of offences under the
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; or an
offence under the Cr.PC for certain categories
of public servants – section 8(1)(a);
• Give directions to the Delhi Special Police
Establishment (CBI) for superintendence
insofar as it relates to the investigation of
offences under the Prevention of Corruption
Act, 1988 – section 8(1)(b);
• To inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation
to be made on a reference by the Central
Government – section 8(1)(c);
• To inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation
to be made into any complaint received
against any official belonging to such
category of officials specified in sub-section 2
of Section 8 of the CVC Act, 2003 – section
8(1)(d);
Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003
• The Commission shall consist of a Central Vigilance
Commissioner (Chairperson) and not more than
two Vigilance Commissioners (members).
• The CVC and the Vigilance Commissioners shall be
appointed by the President on recommendation of
a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister
(Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs
(Member) and the Leader of the Opposition in the
House of the People (Member).
• The term of office of the CVC and the VC would be
four years from the date on which they enter their
office or till they attain the age of 65 years,
whichever is earlier.
• The Commission, while conducting the inquiry,
shall have all the powers of a Civil Court with
respect to certain aspects.
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
• It inculcated provisions of Prevention of corruption
Act, 1987, Indian penal code, the Criminal
Procedure Code and the Criminal Law Act, 1952.
• The act extends to whole of India except Jammu
and Kashmir. MP’s and MLA’s have been kept out
of this act
• Special judges are being appointed by the Central
and State Government to conduct trials of public
servants.
• The ‘public servant’ as per the definition includes
any person in service of a government and in the
pay of the government, or its department, its
companies or any undertaking or control of the
government.
• It provides for the imprisonment of not less than
six months which may extends to five years.
• Misappropriation, abusing official position,
misappropriate to income, obtaining a pecuniary
advantage etc. are being taken as offences under
this act.
8.5. NATIONAL GREEN
TRIBUNAL
Why in news?
The Supreme Court stopped implementation of a
notification by central government which allowed
the Chairperson of NGT to constitute single
member benches in “exceptional
circumstances”.
Background
• NGT benches consist of “two or more
members” with at least one judicial member
and another environmental expert.
• As not enough appointments had been
made, the government issued notification to
allow single member benches.
About NGT
• It was established under the National Green
Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and
expeditious disposal of cases relating to
environmental protection.
• Only an existing or retired judge of a high
court or Supreme Court can be a judicial
member
• Expert members need to have been in any
environment related field with at least 15
years of administrative experience.
• The Tribunal is guided by principles of
natural justice.
• The Tribunal is mandated to dispose appeals
within 6 months of filing of the same.
• New Delhi is the principal bench with Bhopal,
Pune, Kolkata and Chennai being other
benches
• It adjudicates matters relating to following
Actso Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974
o Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974
o Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
o The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
o Forest Conservation Act
o Biological Diversity Act
• As per the Act, appeals from NGT lie directly
to the Supreme Court.
8.6. AUTONOMOUS BODIES
Why in news?
• Ratan Watal Committee submitted a report
on review of Autonomous Bodies.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal
for closure of two Autonomous Bodies and
the functions are proposed to be vested in
Department of Health & Family Welfare
(DoHFW).
What are ABs?
• They are set up and funded by the government for
some specific purpose.
• Though they are independent in their day-to-day
functioning, Government has some control over
them.
• According to General Financial Rules, 2016, the
ministry shall put in place an external or peer
review of autonomous organisations every three
or five years depending on the size and nature of
activity.
• The review should be focused on areas like
whether the task has been completed or not,
similar functions are exercised by some other
organization and if so then is there a scope of
merging, etc.
• The Asiatic Society established in 1784 by William
Jones is the oldest AB. In 1984, it became
institution of national importance.
Details
• Government had constituted an Expenditure
Management Commission (EMC) in 2014 to
look into various aspects of expenditure
reforms to be undertaken by the
Government. It was mandated with the task
of suggesting an overhaul for reducing the
food, fertilizer and oil subsidies and other
ways of controlling India’s fiscal deficit.
• Based on the recommendations of EMC, NITI
Aayog undertook a review of the 19
Autonomous Bodies under the DoHFW and
submitted the Interim Report of the
Committee for the Review of Autonomous
Bodies (headed by Ratan Watal).
• The main concern of the Government is that
Autonomous Bodies are required to be
reviewed and rationalized with a view to
improve their outcomes, effectiveness and
efficiency.
Bodies approved for closure-
• Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) was set up as a
registered society to provide financial medical
assistance to poor patients receiving treatment in
designated central government hospitals.
• Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) was set up with a
corpus grant of Rs. 100 crores in the year 2003 to
raise awareness for population stabilization
strategies.
- IMPORTANT LEGISLATIONS/BILLS
9.1. AMENDMENTS TO
WHISTLE BLOWER
PROTECTION ACT
Why in News?
Recently the government suggested amendments
to the Whistle Blower Protection Act, 2014 to
address the concerns of national security, which
has seen opposition from the civil society.
Provisions under Whistle Blower Protection Act
(WBPA), 2014
• It provides a broad definition of a whistle
blower which goes beyond government
officials and includes any other person or
non-governmental organisation.
• The person may make a public interest
disclosure to a competent authority (CA),
notwithstanding anything contained in the
provisions of Official Secrets Act, 1923.
• The CA may seek assistance of the CBI or
police authorities or any other authority to
carry out inquiries under the Act. For the
purpose of inquiries, CA shall have all the
powers of a civil court.
• Directions of this authority are binding. The
organization in question is to act on
recommendations within 3 months (max 6
months) or record reasons in writing for
disagreement, else pay penalty for noncompliance.
• It ensures confidentiality and penalizes any
public official that reveals a complainant’s
identity, without proper approval, with up to
three years imprisonment and a fine of up to
50,000 rupees.
Recommended Amendments to the Act
• The amendment Bill seeks to remove
immunity provided to whistle-blowers from
prosecution under the draconian Official
Secrets Act (OSA) for disclosures made under
the WBP law. Offences under the OSA are
punishable by imprisonment of up to 14
years.
• To bring the WBP Act in line with the RTI Act,
complaints by whistle-blowers containing
information which would prejudicially affect
the sovereignty, integrity, security or
economic interests of the state shall not be
inquired into.
• In addition, certain categories of information
cannot form part of the disclosure made by a
whistle-blower, unless the information has
been obtained under the RTI Act. This
includes what relates to commercial
confidence, trade secrets which would harm
the competitive position of a third party, etc.
These exemptions have been modelled on
Section 8(1) of the RTI law which lists
information which cannot be disclosed to
citizens.
These categories include information related to: (i)
economic, scientific interests and the security of India;
(ii) Cabinet proceedings, (iii) intellectual property; (iv)
that received in a fiduciary capacity, etc.
9.2. IIIT (PPP) BILL, 2017
Why in News
Recently Lok Sabha passed the Indian Institute of
Information Technology Public Private
Partnership (IIIT-PPP) Bill 2017 that seeks to
allow 15 IIITs established on a PPP model to grant
degrees and get statutory status.
Institutions of National Importance
• They are established by Act of Parliament.
• They serves as a pivotal player in developing
highly skilled personnel within the specified
region of the country/state
• They are usually supported by the Government of
India or even any other international institutes to
develop centers of excellence in research,
academics, and other such elite schools of
education.
Highlight
• Bill declares 15 existing Indian Institutes of
Information Technology established through
public-private partnership as institutions of
national importance.
• Move will enhance the prospects of the
graduating students in the job market.
It will also enable the Institutes to attract enough
students required to develop a strong research
base in the country in the field of information
technology.
9.3. ANTI TORTURE
LEGISLATION
Why in news?
Law Commission of India has recommended the
Centre to ratify the United Nations Convention
Against Torture and frame a standalone antitorture law.
UN Convention against Torture (CAT)
It is an international human rights instrument aimed
to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman degrading
treatment or punishment around the world. This
convention is in force since 1987.
Key Provisions:
• Prohibition on deportation/extradition of person
to another State where there is danger of person
being subjected to torture.
• Universal Jurisdiction mustbe established to try
cases of torture where an alleged torturer cannot
be extradited.
• Criminal liability for torture: States need to
ensure that all acts of torture are offence under
their criminal law.
• Education and information for prevention of
torture to law enforcement, civil and military,
public officials etc.
• Procedures for prompt investigation for
allegations or victims of torture must be
established. Courts must ban the use of evidence
produced by use of torture.
• Protection, Compensation and rehabilitation to
victims and witnesses and providing a system of
effective remedies.
Background
• Though India had signed the U.N. Convention
against Torture in 1997 but it is yet to ratify
it, making it one among the nine countries
across the globe yet to do so.
• After this the issue was referred to the Law
Commission which recommended Prevention
of Torture Bill 2017 in its 273rd report.
Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017
• Wide Definition of Torture not confined to
physical pain but also includes “inflicting
injury, either intentionally or involuntarily, or
even an attempt to cause such an injury,
which will include physical, mental or
psychological”.
• Sovereign Immunity not for agents of the
State- State to own the responsibility for
injuries caused by its agents on citizens as the
principle of sovereign immunity cannot
override the rights assured by the
Constitution.
• Punishment for torture for public officials
inflicting torture.
9.4. NATIONAL MEDICAL
COMMISSION BILL
Why in news?
Recently, National Medical Commission Bill, 2017
was introduced in Lok Sabha.
Background
• Prof. Ranjit Roy Chaudhury committee
(2015) recommended structurally
reconfiguring the MCI’s functions and
suggested the formation of a National
Medical Commission.
• Lodha Panel, constituted in 2016 by Supreme
Court to oversee the functioning of MCI and
its policy decision making. However, its
recommendations were not implemented.
• Committee headed by Dr. Arvind Panagariya
formed to address concerns over quality of
medical education, proposed to repeal Indian
Medical Council Act, 1956.
Medical Council of India (MCI)
• It is a statutory body, established under Indian
Medical Council Act 1956.
• It regulateso standards of medical education.
o permission to start colleges, courses or
increase the number of seats.
o standards of professional conduct of medical
practitioners such as registration of doctors
etc.
Key Features of the Bill
• Establishing National Medical Commission
(NMC): It will be an Umbrella body which will
subsume the MCI and regulate the medical
education and practice in India.
• State Medical Councils (SMC): Each state will
establish their respective SMC within three
years which will have a role similar to the
NMC, at the state level.
• Medical Advisory Council (MAC): It will
provide platform to states/union territories
to express their views and concerns before
the NMC and help in shaping the overall
agenda, policy and action relating to medical
education and training.
• Four Autonomous Boards under supervision
of NMC:
o Under-Graduate Medical Education
Board (UGMEB).
o Post-Graduate Medical Education Board
(PGMEB)
o Medical Assessment and Rating Board
(MARB)
o Ethics and Medical Registration Board
• Uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance
Test (NEET) will be conducted for admission
to under-graduate medical education in all
medical institutions regulated by the Bill.
• National Licentiate Examination for the
students graduating from medical institutions
to obtain the license for practice and
admission into post-graduate courses at
medical institutions.
• Bridge course- It allows practitioners of
homoeopathy and Indian systems of
medicine to prescribe allopathic medicine
upon completion of a course.
• Ease of regulation: Medical colleges will need
permission only once for establishment and
recognition, with no need for annual renewal.
Colleges can also increase the number of
undergraduate seats and start postgraduate
courses on their own
9.5. ANTI-HIJACKING ACT,
2016
Why in news?
• Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016 came into force
replacing the 1982 law.
• The new law conforms to the Beijing
Protocol, 2010 of the International Civil
Aviation Organisation (ICAO) provides for
stringent measures.
• Ensures to deal with civilian aircraft being
used as a weapon of mass destruction by
terrorists.
• The ICAO, a UN body, creates regulations
for aviation safety, security, efficiency and
regularity and environmental protection.
Amendments
• Provision of capital punishment in the event
of death of “any person” including ground
staff
• The definition of hijacking has been
expanded to include: (i) attempt and
abetment of hijacking; (ii) making a credible
threat to commit hijacking; (iii) organising or
directing others to commit hijacking; (iv)
agreeing with another to commit the offence,
and acting on the agreement; etc.
• The law empowers concerned security forces
to immobilize an aircraft or prevent its takeoff.
• The Indian Air Force can scramble its fighters
to intercept a hijacked aircraft and force it to
land.
• A hostile plane could be shot down in
likelihood of it being used as a missile.
- POLICIES/SCHEMES
10.1. NATIONAL SPORTS
TALENT PORTAL
• The Government of India launched the
National Sports Talent Search Portal.
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports in order to attract
sporting talent from across the country.
• The portal is also available as a Mobile App,
which can be downloaded on the
smartphones.
• All interested citizens can apply online using
the portal for various schemes of the Sports
Authority of India (SAI) through a three step
simple process.
• Eligible youth will be called for selection
trials. The admission to the schemes will be
subject to fulfillment of the eligibility criteria
and battery of tests as well as skill tests.
10.2. KHELO INDIA
Why in news?
• The Union Cabinet has approved the
revamped ‘Khelo India-National Programmer
for Development of Sports’ scheme.
Background for Khelo India
• The Khelo India Programme was launched in 2016
by subsuming three diferrent scheme into one
namely: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), Urban
Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and National
Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS).
Objectives of the Programme
• This programme strives to promote “Sports
for All” as well as “Sports for Excellence.”
• It aims at mainstreaming sport as a tool for
individual development, community
development, economic development and
national development.
• It aims at impacting the entire sports
ecosystem, including infrastructure,
community sports, talent identification,
coaching for excellence, competition
structure and sports economy.
• The programme also aims at engaging youth
living in disturbed and deprived areas, in
sporting activities, to wean them away from
unproductive and disruptive activities and
mainstream them in the nation-building
process
• It also aims at creating an active population
with healthy lifestyle.
Olympic Task Force
• In the background of performance of Indian
Sportspersons in 2016 Olympic Games, Prime
Minister has announced formation of Olympic
Taskforce in 2016 to prepare a plan for effective
participation of Indian Sportspersons in next
three Olympics i.e. – 2020, 2024 and 2028.
• Major suggestions of the OTF areo Restructuring the role of Sports Authority of
India (SAI) from just a facilitator to being a
provider of training and preparation of elite
athletes, providing full financial autonomy
etc.
o Sports person should be considered active
only till the age of 28 years, after which they
should be “reskilled” as a Coach or referee,
depending on their national ranking.
Salient Features of the Program
• Pan India Sports Scholarship Scheme – This
would cover 1,000 most talented young
athletes each year across select sports
disciplines. Each athlete selected under the
scheme shall receive an annual scholarship
worth Rs. 5.00 lakh for 8 consecutive years.
• Sports Hub at the University Level – 20
universities across the country are to be
promoted as sporting hubs which would
enable talented sports persons to pursue the
dual pathway of education and competitive
sports.
• National Fitness Drive - The Programme
would cover about 200 million children in the
age group of 10-18. It will not only measure
the physical fitness of all children in the age
group, but also support their fitness related
activities.
• Use of Latest User-friendly Technology –
Latest technology shall be used in all aspects
of sports promotion such as, use of mobile
apps for dissemination of sports training;
National Sports Talent Search portal for
talent identification; interactive website for
indigenous sports; GIS based information
system for locating and using sports
infrastructure, etc.
