Question : REVIEW OF YOUTH POLICY

(a) whether the Government proposes to review the existing Youth Policy and other Youth related schemes and programmes;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the working Group on Adolescents set by the Planning Commission has submitted its report;

(d) if so, the main features of the recommendations contained therein and the action taken by the Government thereon;

(e) the initiatives taken by the Government to conceptualize a framework for coordination of youth related activities of the States; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government for promoting youth activities in the country particularly in Kerala ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) & (b) The Government of India has launched National Youth Policy-2014

(b) (NYP-2014) in February, 2014. NYP-2014 aims at all-round development and empowerment of the Youth. The Policy has an in-built provision for its review after 5 years of its introduction. The review of other schemes and programmes is an on-going process and is taken up as and when such need is felt.

(c)&(d) The Working Group on Adolescents and Youth Development submitted its Report in October, 2011. The recommendation of Working Group and action taken thereon is annexed in a Statement at Annexure ‘A’.

(e) Conference of State Youth Ministers is held on annual basis wherein Youth related activities are discussed and coordinated with the State Governments.

(f) Voluntarism and personality development of youth is promoted throughout the Country through the programmes conducted by National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and National Youth Corps (NYC). In addition, youth activities are also conducted through Non-Governmental Organisations under the Scheme of National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD). Similarly, the schemes of International Cooperation promotes International perspective among youth and the scheme of Youth Hostel promotes youth travel across the country. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) conducts academic courses, training and capacity building programmes and research in the field of youth development. All these Schemes of the Ministry are universally applicable throughout the country including the State of Kerala.