Financial assistance to Bharat Scouts

New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) Financial assistance to Bharat Scouts and Guides for organising training camps and holding of jamborees has been enhanced between 40 and 50 per cent of existing norms.

The enhanced funding by the Ministry of Youth Affairs&Sports will strengthen the scouting and guiding movement in the country, an official release here said.

The Central Scheme of Scouting and Guiding was launched in the early 1980s. It aims at building character, confidence and patriotic spirit and service among young boys and girls through organising training camps, skill development programmes and jamborees for the development of youth.

During 2007-08, 203 programmes were conducted and a sum of Rs 157.59 lakh was sanctioned to Bharat Scouts and Guides.

In the current financial year, a budgetary provision of Rs 300 lakh has been made for the scheme, including Rs 30 lakh for the Northeast region.

Conceived by Lord Baden-Powell in 1907, it has the largest voluntary network throughout the country including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Indian Railways. It has a total membership of the 41.10 lakhs Rovers and Rangers.

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