Karnataka govt. lays down guidelines for setting up 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas with focus on sports and culture

The Karnataka government on Monday started the process of setting up 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas in 6,000 gram panchayats and 4,000 wards in urban local bodies across the state by laying down guidelines and timetable for releasing funds for them. The Sanghas will each receive funding of ₹10 lakh annually from the government and their activities will focus on sports and cultural activities. A total of ₹1,010 crore will be spent annually on the project.

The Sangha’s framework of activities includes sports and fitness, community development, culture and skills development, forest and environment conservation, health and wellness, and youth empowerment.

The project, which was previously approved by the State Cabinet, will be implemented by the Department of Sports and Youth Empowerment. Each sangha will have a coach whose monthly salary is fixed at ₹24,000. Guidelines for formation of sanghas say that the sangha must be registered under the Karnataka Societies Act and have at least 100 members aged between 16 and 35 years. Different population parameters have been determined for the establishment of the Sangha in local bodies.

While the reservation list for the formation of the executive committee of each Sangha is determined, the term of office of the committee will be two years. The Chief Minister will chair the State level implementation committee.