Bengaluru: Although the Union Government has slashed Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) funds by 25 per cent, the State Government is now working to develop playgrounds in each Panchayat under the scheme.
According to sources, this is being done to encourage youths, particularly in rural areas, to participate in sports. Playgrounds will be developed on land ranging from one to five acres.
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department has so far taken on road laying, lake and stepwell rejuvenation, and other projects as part of the scheme.
Now, the RDPR Department and the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) have issued a joint circular stating that Gram Panchayats can include playground development in their annual projects using MNREGS funding as well as 2 per cent of DYES funds available through the RDPR department.
Playgrounds can be built on one to five acres of land, depending on the amount of area available, and should be maintained by physical education teachers from local government schools and colleges. There are 20 points/activities included in the circular, including playground development.
The DYES Director and coaches may not be able to reach out to Gram Panchayats to train youths in sports and may not be able to attend the Gram Panchayats’ trimonthly meetings, stated the circular. Hence, local organisations identified by DYES can attend the meetings. The Panchayats would be responsible for organising various sporting events and training for local youths in various sports. It went on to say that health and other camps can also be organised in accordance with the National Service Scheme.
