March 15, 2002

‘9’

ASSISTANCE TO HARYANA FOR NATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL

    In the scheme, under which the National Youth Festival is held, the Central Government and the host State Government share expenditure in the ratio of 50:50 subject to a ceiling of Rs. one crore so far as Central Grant is concerned. As the estimated budget submitted by the State Government of Haryana for hosting the 7^th National Youth Festival at Hissar during 12-16^th January, 2002 was more than Rs. two crore, the Central Government has released an amount of Rs. 75 lakh as first installment and the balance will be released on receipt of statement of actual expenditure subject to a ceiling of Rs. one crore.

    The provision of assistance upto a maximum ceiling of Rs. one crore was made in the revised scheme of Promotion of National Integration only during the current financial year. In earlier years, State Governments hosting the Festival were provided with financial grants based on a realistic assessment of the estimated expenditure. The assistance provided to the Governments of Tamil Nadu, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Government of Gujarat for the National Youth Festivals hosted by them during 1998, 1999, 2000 was Rs. 50 lakh, Rs. 50 lakh, Rs. 48.30 lakh respectively.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Pon. Radhakirishnan in a written reply to a question from Shri Rama Muni Reddy Sirigireddy in the Rajya Sabha today.