National Sports University Bill, 2018 unanimously passed in the Lok Sabha

August 5, 2018:

Lok Sabha has unanimously passed the National Sports University Bill, 2018.

This is a bid to promote various aspects of sportssuch as management, technology and coaching.

Earlier on Wednesday, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore introduced the bill, which seeks to establish a National Sports University in Manipur and run two courses for now. This is the 6th bill tabled to place an ordinance during the Monsoon Session.

Pitching the idea of National Sports University in Manipur, BJP MP and former BCCI president Anurag Thakursaid, "we must not restrict to just one National Sports University in the country'". Thakur compared India's sports market with that of US and asked the sports ministry to bring up the level of the sportspersons to match international standards.

National Sports University Ordinance, 2018

Highlights of the Bill-

• The National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 was promulgated on May 31, 2018.  It establishes a National Sports University in Manipur.  Note that the National Sports University Bill, 2017 was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 10, 2017 and is now passed.

• Establishment of the University:  The National Sports University will be headquartered in Manipur.  It may establish outlying campuses, colleges, or regional centres.
• The University will: (i) undertake research on physical education,
• (ii) strengthen sports training programmes, and
• (iii) collaborate internationally in the field of physical education, among others.

• Functions:  Key powers and functions of the University include: (i) prescribing courses of study and conducting training programmes, (ii) granting degrees, diplomas, and certificates, (iii) providing facilities through a distance education system, and (iv) conferring autonomous status on a college or an institution.

• Authorities:  The University will have the following authorities:
• (i) the Court, which will review the policies of the University and suggest measures for its development,
• (ii) the Executive Council, which will be the principal executive body,
• (iii) the Academic and Activity Council, which will supervise academic policies,
• (iv) the Board of Sports Studies, which will approve the subjects for research and recommend measures to improve standards of teaching, and
• (v) the Finance Committee, which will examine proposals related to creation of posts and recommend limits on the expenditure of the University.  Additional authorities may be declared through statutes.

• Executive Council:  The Executive Council will be responsible for all administrative affairs of the University.  Members of the Council will be nominated by the central government and hold office for two years.  The members will include:
• (i) the Vice-Chancellor (appointed by the central government), (ii) the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and
• (iii) four persons from among eminent sports persons and distinguished coaches.
• Key functions of the Council include:
• (i) creating academic posts and their appointment,
• (ii) managing the revenue and property of the University,
• (iii) managing and regulating the finances of the University, and
• (iv) partnering with industry and non-government agencies to advance knowledge.

• Statutes:  The Schedule to the Ordinance contains statutes.  These statutes specify the establishment, composition, and powers of various authorities such as the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Dean of Schools.  The Executive Council may make additional statutes, amend specified statutes, or repeal these statutes.  Any such action will require the approval of the central government.

• Role of central government:  The central government will review and inspect the functioning of the University.  The Executive Council may take action based on the findings of the inspection.  If no action is taken within a reasonable time period, the central government may issue binding directions to the Council.  The central government may annul any proceeding of the University which is not in conformity with the Ordinance.

• Fund:  The University will maintain a Fund.
• The following amounts will be credited to the Fund:
• (i) contributions by the central government, state governments, or the University Grants Commission,
• (ii) loans, gifts, and donations,
• (iii) income from fees, and
• (iv) amounts received from any other source.  Funds will be invested based on the recommendations of the Finance Committee.

• Dispute and appeals:  Any student or candidate whose name has been removed from the rolls of the University and who has been barred from appearing for examinations may appeal to the Executive Council.  The Council may confirm, modify, or reverse the decision.
• Any dispute arising out the disciplinary action taken by the University against a student may be referred to a Tribunal of Arbitration (at the request of the student).  Disputes arising out of the contract between an employee and the University may also be referred to a Tribunal.

The 12th sitting of the Parliament Monsoon Session has commenced. Both houses of the Parliament will take up the Private Members' Bill.

The Rajya Sabha since the beginning of this week has been witnessing constant disruptions over National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Trinamool Congress MPs created a ruckus in Lok Sabha Friday after their party delegation was detained at Silchar airport on Thursday.

The delegation had arrived in Assam to participate in a convention against Assam’s recently-released draft National Register of Citizenship published last month on July 30.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha stated NRC as a “national security” matter on Friday. Terming it as a “fair and objective” process, Singh said if all documents required for registration of NRC are submitted, no citizen would be left out.

Post lunch the Upper House discussed Enhancement of Parliament Productivity Bill. The Bill was a Private Member's Bill introduced by SAD's Naresh Agrawal.

List of Bills awaiting introduction in Rajya Sabha-

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