(a) the steps being taken by the Government to make the Youth aware of the National Youth Policy (NYP) and to increase the participation of Youth in the programmes under the NYP;
(b) whether the Government is contemplating to cover every school and college in the country under NYP;
(c) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c): Yes Madam. The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has taken several steps for spreading awareness about the National Youth Policy, 2014 and for its effective implementation. The Policy recommends specific policy interventions for development and empowerment of youth in 11 priority areas, namely, education, employment and skill development, entrepreneurship, health and healthy lifestyle, sports, promotion of social values, community engagement, participation in politics and governance, youth engagement, inclusion and social justice. The implementation of the Policy is the collective responsibility of all concerned Central Ministries/ Departments, State Governments as well as other stakeholders. The Department of Youth Affairs is playing the coordinating/ facilitating role.
In order to make the youth aware of the National Youth Policy, 2014, the Policy was launched in February, 2014 through a nation-wide campaign, including functions/ rallies all over the country with active involvement of field organisations of the Ministry like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan (NYKS) and National Service Scheme (NSS) and advertisements in newspapers. The efforts to create awareness have continued since then. NYKS, with about 8.3 million youth enrolled through 2.95 lakh youth clubs and NSS, with about 3.64 million volunteers are actively involved in the entire process. Copies of the Policy were sent to all stakeholders. A copy of the Policy has also been uploaded on the website of the Ministry www.yas.nic.in. Awareness is also being created through Workshops organised by Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) and other stakeholders from time to time.
The National Youth Policy, 2014 is applicable to all the youth in the country in the age-group of 15-29 years, irrespective of whether they are in schools/ colleges or not. The Department of Youth Affairs has constantly pursued the matter with all concerned Central Ministries/ Departments to take necessary steps for implementation of the Policy. The State Governments have also been requested to formulate/ revise their State Youth Policies, in line with the National Youth Policy, 2014.
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