 PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND YOUTH
 WELFARE

Labour and Social Service Scheme.

A provision of Rs. 280 lakhs has been made in the Second Five Year Plan for the implementation of the scheme of Labour and Social Service. Out of this plan provision, an allocation of Rs. 53 lakhs has been made during the current financial year for expendituse on the scheme. The scheme falls into two parts viz. (1) Labour and Social Service Campas for students and other Youth and (2) Campus Work Projects in Universities' and Educational Institutions. Seventy five per cent of the allocation is earmarked for the former scheme and 25% for the latter.

During the Calendar year 1959, Universities, State Governments, National Cadet Corps of the Ministry of Defence and Voluntary Organizations, of which the most important are the Bharat Sevak Samaj and the Bharat Scouts and Guides, have organised a large number of camps of different types all over the country. During the period 1st January, 1959 to 30th November, 1959 this Ministry have sanctioned a sum of Rs. 27.54 lakhs for holding 1595 camps. The Government of India subsidese Youth Camps on the following basis:-

For food and incidental expenses at the rate of Rs. 1.75 per head per day.

For transport charges on the basis of Third Class Railway fare (Students concession) or actual bus fare.

Grants have also been paid for the holding of Organiser Training Camps for Camp Organiser to ensure the supply of trained and experienced personnel for the conduct of Labour and Social Service Camps.

For Campus Work Projects an amount of Rs. 19,13,688 has been paid from 1st January, 1959 to 30th November, 1959 to the educational institutions in respect of projects approved during 1957-58 and 1958- 59. Out of this, Rs. 5,78,613 were paid for the projects approved during 1957-58 and Rs. 13,35,075 for the projects approved during 1958-59 to cover the second and third instalments of grants.

So far 36 new projects have been approved during the current financial year and it is proposed to release an amount of Rs. 3.5 lakhs representing the first instalment of grants in respect of these projects during the month of January, 1960. Further it is proposed to release during January-March, 1960 Rs. 1.21 lakhs for organisation of Labour and Social Service Camps and Rs. 12.29 lakhs for second and third instalments in respect of projects sanctioned in 1957-58.

A budget provision of Rs. 53; lakhs has been made in respect of the scheme of Labour and Social Service Camps and Campus Work Projects for the year 1960-61. It is proposed to set apart Rs. 30 lakhs for holding of Labour and Social Service Camps and Rs. 23 lakhs for Campus Work Projects. Under the scheme of Campus Work Projects it is anti- cipated that the entire budget provision earmarked for it will be utilised for the payment of the remaining instalments of grants for the projects already approved so far and it is unlikely that fresh applications would be entertained during the year 1960-61 due to non- availability of funds.

Checks in Regard to Utilization of Grants-in-Aid

In order to exercise a check that the grants sanctioned under the schemes are properly utilised, steps for the evaluation of Labour and Social Service Camps have been taken from the financial year 1958-59. In the,light of the observations made by the inspectors of the camps, the rules and conditions prescribed for the year 1959-60 were modified accordingly.

As regards the Campus Work Projects Scheme, the completion reports are certified by a Civil Engineer or P.W.D. officer. The last instalment of grant is only released after completion of the project when the institution also sends photographs of the completed project.

Promotion of Physical Education and Recreation under the Second Five-Year Plan

The programme of the Government of India under this Scheme is based on the recommendations made by the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation for the development of Physical Education and Recreation during the Second Five-Year Plan. Appre- ciable progress towards implementation of various Schemes under this programme was made during the period under review. The following account gives an indication of, the important developments in this regard:-

(i) Strengthening of Physical Education Training Institutions

In accordance with the recommendations of the Board financial assistance under this scheme is to be made available to the Physical Education Training Institutions only after the Regional-Visiting Com- mittees set up by the Government of India have completed an on-the- spot study of the institutions concerned and have made their recom- mendations to the Government in respect of financial requirements of the Institutions for improvement and development. During the period under Report the on-the-spot study of the Institutions in the Southern and Northern and Eastern Regions has been completed. Implementation of the recommendations of the Committees has also been taken up.

The Scheme has also been approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee. Although the recommendations of the three visiting Com- mittees exceed Rs. 50 lakhs, it is proposed to limit the expenditure during the Second Five-Year Plan within the ceiling of Rs. 15 lakhs as suggested by the Expenditure Finance Committee. The Scheme will doubtless have to be carried forward to the Third Five-Year Plan.

(ii) National Physical Efficiency Drive

The implementation of the Scheme, has been taken up during the year under report with the publication of the illustrated brochure on the National Physical Efficiency Drive. The State Governments/ Universities, Physical' Education Training Institutions etc. have been requested to hold the tests throughout the country in order that the drive is taken up on a nation-wide basis. It is expected that by the end of Second Five-Year Plan period about one thousand testing centres will be set up under this scheme in the different parts of the country, By the end of March, 1960 it is hoped that about 400 testing- centres will be set up in different parts of the country. The Scheme also provides for the payment of a grant of Rs. 300 each to the testing centres, to enable them to purchase the requisite equipment and to meet other expenditure.

The Ministry has also decided to translate the illustrated brochure into 14 recognised regional languages of the country. The State Governments have been requested to take up these translations and have also been promised grants to cover expenditure in this behalf.

(iii) Grants to Vyayamshalas

With the increase in the quantum of Government of India's contri- bution from 50% to 75% with effect from 1959-60 this Scheme has received quite an encouraging response. The grants under this Scheme are released only for the purchase of Equipment and/or Library Books. The pace of expenditure under the Scheme is likely to go up during the next financial year.

(iv) Scholarships for Higher Studies in Physical Education,

It has been decided to award four scholarships per year to promising young men and women from the academic year 1960-61 for specialisation in indigenous Physical activities. The value of each scholarship will be Rs. 200 per month and its duration will be one year.

(v) Seminars on Physical Education

The third All-India Seminar under this Scheme was organised in October, 1959 at Bangalore for organisers and experts in indigenous physical activities. The reports of the first two All-India Seminars held

in 1958 at Madras and Mahableshwar (Bombay) for the Principals of Physical Training Institutions and State Inspectors/University Directors of Physical Training respectively have since been published.

One more All-India Seminar under this Scheme is expected to be organised during the year 1960-61.

(vi) Other Measures for the' Promotion of Physical Education and Recreation and Promotion of Yoga.

The programme under this Scheme includes propaganda and publi- city, grants to organisations and Institutions engaged in the. promotion of Physical Education, Recreation and Yoga. The K.S.M.Y.M. Samity Lonavala (Poona) and the Vishwayatan Yoga Asram (J. & K. State) are the two major Yoga Institutions which are receiving substantial financial assistance from the Government of India for the promotion of Research and its popularisation in the country. The Samiti is receiving grants from the Ministry for the promotion of Scientific Research in Yoga and in the case of Vishwayatan Yoga Asram, the Government of India have agreed to pay a grant up to Rs. 3 lakhs to cover 60% of the expenditure on the establishment of the Headquarters and Teacher Training Institute building at Katra Vaishno Devi (J. & K. State). Both of these Institutions will continue to receive financial assistance from the Government of India during the next financial year also.

During the year under report, the Government of India have sanc- tioned grants amounting to Rs. 3.26 lakhs for the promotion of activities under the above Schemes.

For the next financial year, a budget provision of Rs. 11 lakhs has been earmarked for the promotion of activities under the Scheme referred to above.

Preparation of Popular Literature on Physical Education, Recreation and Sports

Keeping in view the acute shortage of literature on Physical Education, Recreation and Sports in the country, the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation had constituted a sub- committee of its own to make recommendations for the preparation of fresh literature as well as the evaluation of existing literature. The recommendations of the Committee have been taken up for implementation and the details of the Scheme for the preparation of fresh literature on the subject and being worked out on the recommendations of the Committee. The Ministry has also taken up the preparation of a directory each of the Physical Education and Yogic Institutions in the country and also the compilation of a Bibliography of Physical Education and Recreation Literature.

Committee on Coordination and Integration of Physical Education and Recreation and Youth Welfare Programmes

In pursuance of the recommendations of the Estimates Committee of the Lok Sabha, and the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation the Government of India have appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru, M.P., to examine the question of coordination and integration of the various schemes in the filed of Physical Education, Recreation and Youth Welfare. The terms of reference of the Committee are as follows:-

(a) To evaluate the respective merits and to define the role of various schemes for Physical Education, Recreation, Character Building and Discipline operating in Educational Institutions;

(b) To recommend measures for the proper coordination of a proved schemes in order to avoid duplication and wastage of resources;

(c) To examine ways and means of 'developing the most useful schemes and activities for the promotion of Physical Education and Recreation, Character and 'Discipline amongst students.

After discussing the modus operandi for its enquiry the Committee has decided to issue a comprehensive questionnaire to the Heads. of the institutions at the level of High Schools and above. The questionnaire has since been finalised and is under issue. The State Governments have also been separately requested to furnish detailed information on the working of the different schemes in their States.

Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, Gwalior

Although the College is planned to be developed as a co- educational Institution, admission continued to be restricted for the present to men students only, because there are no adequate facilities for' the accommodation of girl students for want of buildings.

The College has entered into its third Academic Year and the scheme of the College is likely to be carried forward to the Third Five-Year Plan.

During the period under report grants amounting to Rs. 5.80 lakhs have been sanctioned to the Board of Governors of the College to meet recurring and non-recurring expenditure.

A sum of Rs. 16 lakhs has been provided in the budget for 1960-61 for the expenditure on the College including that on construction of college buildings.

During the year under report General K. M. Carippa has taken over as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the College.

Economy and Checks

In so far as Physical Education and Recreation is concerned the position respect of the checks, to ensure proper utilisation of the Grants-in-aid is as follows:-

(i) Grants to Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, Gwalior

The Government of India is committed to meet the net expenditure of the College on a cent per cent basis. For purposes of administration and control the Government have constituted a Board of Governors on which five members including the Chairman are nominated by, the Government of India. The Deputy Financial Adviser to the Ministry, of Education, besides being a member of the Board also acts as Financial Adviser to the Board. The Audit of the College has also been entrusted to the Comtroller and Auditor General of India.

(ii) Grants to Physical Education Training Institutions and other Organisations

For the present the only check provided by the Ministry to ensure proper utilisation of the funds is by way of scrutiny of the audited statements of accounts received from the grantees after utilisation of grants. However, most of the grants are paid,only on the advice of the Central Advisory Board of Physical Education and Recreation and also for those items of expenditure which have the approval of the Board.

A major portion of the grants is sanctioned by this Ministry under the scheme of strengthening Physical Education Training Institutions. Financial Assistance under this scheme is released only on the basis of the recommendation of the Visiting Committees appointed by the Ministry of Education to make an on-the-spot study of the working of the Institutions and-make recommendations to the Government of India on their needs for development and improvement. The, on-the-spot study of all the institutions in the country was completed in October, 1959. Action with regard to the payment of the grants has been initiated only recently.

(iii) Grants for the Promotion of Yoga

A major portion of the Grants under this scheme is being paid to the two institution viz. K.S.M.Y.M , Samiti, Lonavala, Poona and the Vish wayatan Yoga Ashram, Katra Vaishnav Devi (J & K State). In addition to the scrutiny of the Audited Statements of accounts the working of these two institutions has also been got assessed through expert committees specially appointed for the purpose.

Bharat Scouts and Guides

For the promotion of Scouts and Guides movement in the country the Government of India have sanctioned grants-in-aid amounting to Rs. 3,38,215 during January to December, 1959. This figure includes the Second and Third instalment of grants of Rs. 60,000 each towards Government's contribution for the Construction of an All-India Scouts and Guides Training Centre at Pachmarhi (M.P.). The Government of India agreed to pay 75 per cent. of the total estimated expenditure to be incurred on the Centre or Rs. 4,35,000 whichever is less.

Organisational Expenditure on the National Headquarters of the Bharat Scouts and guides

The Government of India have agreed to pay grant not exceeding, Rs. 75,000 per annum for meeting the anticipated deficit in the administrative and organisational budget for 1959-60.

Holding of the 17th International Scouts Conference in New Delhi

The Government of India have sanctioned a grant-in-aid of Rs. 21,000 for the purpose.

Holding of Training Camps at Various Levels

A grant-in-aid of Rs. 34,993 was sanctioned for the purpose. Some other proposals received from the Bharat Scouts and Guides are under consideration.

Construction of Building by the State Association of the Bharat Scouts and Guides

Two proposals for the construction of a swimming pool and open- air pavilion 'received from the Delhi State Bharat Scouts and Guides are under active, consideration of the Government of India.

National Discipline Scheme

The National Discipline Scheme aims, at making the younger generation healthy both in mind and body and instil in them a sense of patriotism, self-reliance, tolerance and self-sacrifice. The Scheme also aims at inculcating amongst the children a spirit of nationalism and cultural unity and good citizenship. The salient features of the Scheme are:

(a) Physical Training,

(b) Mental Training,

(d) Organisation and

(e) Cultural development.

Progress and Expansion

Comparative Statistics of the progress of the National Discipline Scheme for the Second Plan period.

                                          
        
        A.                  Year                No. of Chil-    No. actually
                                                 dren to be      under train-
                                                  trained            ing
        
                                          
                  1958-59                            1,56,000       1,63,792
        
                  1959-60                            1,80,000       2,75,361
        
                  1960-61                            2,40,000
        
             Target for the Second Plan period                      2,40,000
        
             Strength under training at present                     2,75,361
        
             Excess from the target at present                        95,361

N.B. Roughly speaking 20 per cent. of the students have left schools after going through the National Discipline Scheme training since its start. Therefore, the total trained so far who have left schools works out to about 2,00,000 in addition to the present strength under training.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND YOUTH WELFARE