Question : Enrolment of Youth Volunteers

(a) whether it is a fact that youth had played tremendous role in civil society during the Covid pandemic in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to increase the enrolment of youth volunteers in the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan and National Social Service programmes with the aim to increase participation of youth in nation building in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes any incentives to youths who enrol in such organisations in the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the details of the steps taken by the Government in this direction?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a)& (b): Yes, Sir.The youth had played tremendous role in civil society during the COVID pandemic in the country.The details are given at Annexure-I.
(c)& (d): Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) through its Youth Club Development Programme forms new Youth Clubs and thereby increase participation of youth in nation building in the country.NYKS organizes various programmes/activities through its core and special programmes to enhance the participation of youth in nation building activities in the country. NYKS has planned following two programmes during the financial year 2022-23 in this regard:-
(i) District Youth Club Development Campaign: aims at strengthening the Youth Club network with Formation/Activation &Updation/Fresh affiliation of Youth Clubs and documentation of Unsung Heroes.
(ii) Individual Volunteer Enrolment Program: Enrolment of volunteers in each district in individual capacity.
Further, the Ministry of Finance and the Union Cabinet have recently approved opening of 3000 new NSS Units (1 unit=100 volunteers). On allocation of 3000 New NSS Units to the States/UTs, the strength of NSS volunteers,across the country, has been increased from 36 lakh to 39 lakh.
(e)& (f): The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India has instituted the National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards in 1993-94 to recognize and reward outstanding contributions towards voluntary community service made by the Universities/ Colleges, (+2) Councils and Senior Secondary, NSS Units/ Programme Officers and NSS Volunteers, with a view to further promote NSS in the country. The details of ‘Number of Awards’ and ‘Value of Awards’under NSS Awards are attached at Annexure-II.
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