Important features of youth affairs and sports budget

There has been a substantial hike of 46.5 percent in the budget for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the 2014-15 fiscal. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday allocated a total of Rs.1,769 crore in the first budget of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

The following are the main features of the budget for youth affairs and sports:

1. The allocation for the 2014-2015 saw a rise of Rs.561.24 crore -- a 46.5 percent hike -- from the last fiscal.

2. The biggest beneficiary was the state of Jammu and Kashmir, where the government will be investing Rs.200 crore to upgrade indoor and outdoor stadiums to international standards.

3. A sports university will be set up in Manipur with a fund of Rs.100 crore.

4. Rs.100 crore for the training of sportsperson for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games starting July 23 and the Asian Games in Incheon in September.

5. The government will set up National Sports Academies for major games in different parts of the country to mainstream sports.

6. The government will also set-up a Centre for Disability Sports.

7. There was also a significant rise in the budget allocation for the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which is the nodal agency for sports in the country. SAI has been allocated Rs.405.10 crore -- a significant hike from last year's Rs.320.45 crore.

8. This year's allocation for anti-doping activities is Rs.11.60 crore -- Rs. 3.30 crore more than last fiscal's allocation.

9. To promote the unique sports traditions that have developed in the Himalayan region, India will start an annual event to promote these games and would invite countries such as Nepal and Bhutan also to participate in addition to the Indian states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and other northeastern states.